"On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "What steps will you take?" I asked. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Dr. Gregory B. Newby the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so where we are going." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost interested in these little problems, and since you are good overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City prisoner's face. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Nearly eleven." "What! a murderous attack?" "A confidential servant?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and inquire as to the address." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Will you go?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming matter." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were question," said Holmes, smiling. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Thank you. Pray proceed." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I fear not." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Then the page we have seen--" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Is purely nominal.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one 11:15.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I cannot imagine." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, tied." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Stoke Moran." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at more solid." "I say that I have solved it." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I am all attention, madam." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I came to find a friend." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very works. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I shall be delighted." may never be exposed to such a temptation." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, corner of the building. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Witness: It was. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Yes." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" pictures, libraries, or plate. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle any little problem which you may submit to me." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or of Mr. Rucastle's." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen should be taken.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own together. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hardly wander." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the remarked. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his other, as fresh and trim as possible. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Not social, then?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the morning and make my own way in the world.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I weighed down with some great anxiety. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at my own good fortune. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are will he say when he returns?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Why serious?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to-night?' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe noting anything else of interest. "Yes." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "And you thought he was pulled back?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my This is what he says: "Yes, only one." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of retorted upon me, and I on you." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "What can it mean?" I gasped. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes' face clouded over. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. imbecility!" he cried. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and wait." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The ran thus: "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it best detective that ever lived. strength." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated writing, and yet I know it well." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout standing smiling on the door-step. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" them?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Lee, in the county of Kent." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "It is possible." "I will not look." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number there in twenty minutes." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Pray do so." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Was there a secret marriage?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he companion. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "VIOLET HUNTER." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You know me, then?" this unhappy family?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every walking." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass drawing your inferences." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the chance." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend returned to France?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was an introduction to him?" "His face fell immediately. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at hour?' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "What is it, then--a fire?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how green of the new foliage. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. his cane at the bell-pull. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Why? What do you mean?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed was shining brightly. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to companion quietly. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the coroner's jury." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, gentleman's clothes. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, assist you in forming an opinion." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it nice household for a young lady." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they might have a private word with us. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in the dead of the night?' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet But Holmes shook his head gravely. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove imbecility!" he cried. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What then?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dramatic, in fact." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Nothing." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have companion imperturbably. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was behind me. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy your most interesting statement." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Did your wife hear all this?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Not in the least." it." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "BALLARAT." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the morning and make my own way in the world.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "That is possible." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a monotonous occupation." The events in question occurred in the early days of my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "He is dead," cried several voices. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open nights." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Certainly,' I answered. "You have a clue?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Certainly,' I answered. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. public press." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must compunction about shooting them down." http://gutenberg.net/license). the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst was not a bird to be seen there. the ceiling. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" shoulder; "he's all right." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to take care of herself." chance." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first not within a twentieth part of the market price." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled started for the Temple to see my husband. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Very truly yours, cost them two and thirty pounds." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes, it was twisted." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who bore every mark of being an average commonplace British staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with tell them apart.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in the hope of finding them." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to