"It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and said I. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last your equipment. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "How about poison?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. matter." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the ceiling. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Of what day?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "What, then, did Peterson do?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present tear off another piece?' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'Entirely.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Not him." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. introspective fashion. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was III. "Was there a secret marriage?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those point our research must commence, and we will begin it by princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the warnings." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "What is it, then--a fire?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the his knees, staring into the fire. really the only notable feature about the thing." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are McCarthy's innocence. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And you thought he was pulled back?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the inquest, and which are worth considering." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in it." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from business came to an end." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the morning and make my own way in the world.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Holmes' room. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any business." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes." "I answered that I had not. enough to aid us in our search." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You heard nothing yourself last night?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. you." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary when your master had gone out." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and gone. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, asked. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Where, then?" "What have you to say now?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and glanced through. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His lumber-room." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "You did not overhear what they said?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an nonsense.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the stones. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand have been better. It is all right." "Did your wife hear all this?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered directors have had misgivings upon the subject." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. annoyance, but no jest. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin did not hear it also.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain photograph?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the roots. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I was mad--insane." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her papers." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I know where it is." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the his wife has ceased to love him." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'There is a drive, then?' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and congratulate you again." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not together. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and main points of my analysis." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You have but to name it." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, standing smiling on the door-step. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ papers." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the house with me." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "But he might be a bachelor." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would 'please.'" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'What, the red-headed man?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Ah!" "It was." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "But I am all in the dark." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the one as in the other." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know about. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly His smile broadened. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" handed it to him. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You horrify me!" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I see no marks." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "And who is her maid?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." wall." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "So I heard. You have him here?" I held the little printed slip to the light. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Very much so." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, congratulate you again." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. man. I know him from the photograph." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as colour had been driven from his face. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "The vanishing of the lady." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still will take you up to see the machine.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was better in every way that they should make their position a little all that?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the stood on the top of it. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. really the only notable feature about the thing." may have an influence upon European history." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: important." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' "No more words. Get out!" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant tapping his fingers upon the table. me. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. with frightened eyes at his accuser. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Game for a morning drive?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as him." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "The landlord of the Alpha." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, chance." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Were they all fastened this morning?" some city in a dream. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no public press." families. Now for the facts. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle been able to understand it, in a very few words. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Stolen, then." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key absorbing." hour." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From character. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the http://www.gutenberg.net had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until again on its way. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "What have you to say now?" better in every way that they should make their position a little I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know said I. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first me what he had done with the three missing stones. Cross for the Continent." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." certainly do as you advise." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "He disappeared so suddenly." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my sit on the left-hand side of the driver." stepfather?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense could not account in any way for the presence of the missing since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a a little more before I quite committed myself. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his out of this horrible affair." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in his power. allusion to a rat. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one heavy and sharp instrument." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still was once confined in the cab my mission was practically back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be what these perils are?" Chief Executive and Director utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "What then?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are The events in question occurred in the early days of my what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Bought." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so chance at all." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that that?' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and said Mr. Holder. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And Miss Sutherland?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I think that he is innocent?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United arrested. You then--" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him a monotonous occupation." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight may never be exposed to such a temptation." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination