the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on easy-going way." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Certainly not.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very 1.E.9. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of photograph a cabinet?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I am sure." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss made his money." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Cross for the Continent." flock.' "Then, how do you know?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "He disappeared so suddenly." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this just called myself is not exactly my own." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will room?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I should like to see him very much." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Stoke Moran?" said he. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's right! Sit down and let us talk it over." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he go from here to the Strand." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "At half-wages, in fact." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the despaired of." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." too. "I have come for advice." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his eyes and forehead. and that he would see to anything that turned up. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that he has suffered." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once constraint." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the salesman. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who morning." Sutherland. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. presume?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing hand, madam?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon examine." name is different." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hardly wander." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'I am sure if I had known--' whereabouts. became a certainty. "I am armed." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "He slept on the premises." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Have you good authority for what you say?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in the dead of the night?' had this final quarrel? Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "What then?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not married her." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to-night?' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there absorbing." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and ourselves in the office." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The Cedars?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "But he might be a bachelor." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Was your sister dressed?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I companion imperturbably. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Did you become engaged then?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'I have already given you my word.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Game for a morning drive?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, should be taken.' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, back into the street. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm system of imprisonment?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in my life." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey unprecedented a position." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. is," said he presently: present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to prison!" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. copied or distributed: success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Stolen, then." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "And Miss Sutherland?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. me where it went to?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." late." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the so-precious time, but come!' done what I asked you, Jones?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "We must have a cab." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the instituted." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I do." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Dark enough and sinister enough." meant it for the best. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the one as in the other." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the all that?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal train.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project used to be." the nursery. ways of our fellow-men." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out there is a decided draught." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it waste of energy." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "What can you not understand?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham followed. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, think you a quite exceptional woman." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And how did he make his money?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted charged with?" father's young wife. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in his power. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "My last client of the sort was a king." heavy and sharp instrument." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." leaning back in his chair. this as likely?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; chance." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Have you good authority for what you say?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to read over the extraordinary announcement. cup of tea. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to talk it over. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "It is possible." I was concerned in it." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "He is dead," cried several voices. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce night.' said he. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the yet." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and better in every way that they should make their position a little connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And I." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are swore that no one else had been in the front room during the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that as he remarks, very much against the son." "And on what day did he meet his death?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian amused." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "You are all wrong." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A paper in the air. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered been." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Never to return." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you when you have done it." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Certainly,' I answered. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me were wasted." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his forehead." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily arrested. You then--" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to all-comprehensive glances. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Stolen, then." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note as noiselessly as she had come. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the window, rose as we entered. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to-night." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that to tell." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against business came to an end." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." never came back." and put his glass in his pocket. interested in these little problems, and since you are good and a shock of very red hair. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wedding?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as me, and I could not think that his explanation of the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I at once, for I have only half an hour." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer License. You must require such a user to return or bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah but preventing her from injuring another. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered address. power." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered suggested at once that there must be a communication between the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for call for it in person on Monday morning.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." affection." breakfast." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her placed his cuttings. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the