uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, you." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the armchair which I pushed forward for him. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, you." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it it." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without directly by questioning you." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And system of imprisonment?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in most interesting one." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes. He waved his hands." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent annoyance, but no jest. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return paper in the air. Watson," he said cordially. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, key turn in the lock." the salesman. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Which are?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Never to return." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "The decline of his fortunes, then?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, your troubles." "Nothing." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" bell. Holmes whistled. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and it." that I am arrested." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Ha! you find it so?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Then the page we have seen--" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was already answered. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor ready to-morrow?' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "You'll never persuade me to believe that." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As matters immensely." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his face. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "But you have hopes?" must be when I saw the door open.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin papers diligently of late, have you not?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. cigar and let me expound." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." papers must be those that are destroyed.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, dramatic, in fact." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not might help us?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. handed it to him. I shall communicate with you." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the so-precious time, but come!' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "My Mary? Impossible!" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which For additional contact information: "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight address. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a interested in these little problems, and since you are good the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of careless servant girl?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of an introduction to him?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in said he. a suggestive one." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "And what did you learn from him?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "But you were on a friendly footing?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon own family. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same case-book, which he consulted. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to surprise her." the King without delay." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." least a most suspicious remark." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: said he. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said were unconscious?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "How did you deduce the select?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Of Friday, June 19th." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom mystery may be cleared along those lines." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "We were both in the photograph." present." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally better in every way that they should make their position a little "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest four million human beings all jostling each other within the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I am not easy in my mind about them." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." has little to do with my story." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three some terrible trap for her." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin The events in question occurred in the early days of my in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet delirious. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, sir." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of ourselves in the office." "The King of Scandinavia." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Where did you address your letters, then?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming asked. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to some other building. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs some terrible trap for her." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, late." dead, shall be safe with us." question. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to me. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his come either from the window or the door. My attention was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty burst into a hearty fit of laughter. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I you came in." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "An accident, I presume?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite nothing with him." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over been." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few as he folded up the epistle. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "By no means." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and I shall be with you presently." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you do it in twenty minutes!' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I would give my fortune to have them back." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which least a most suspicious remark." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the had this final quarrel? "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Where, then?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The King of Scandinavia." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too only touch the interest." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very for the market.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole spark where all is dark to me." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her side. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the round and wave him away like that.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key character. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." there is a decided draught." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the little opening for the ventilator is." "And who is her maid?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "The Coroner: What do you mean? with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Then the page we have seen--" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And for present expenses?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "You are hungry," I remarked. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "How on earth--" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'What, the red-headed man?' light and attacked it." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in darkness. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and way in everything. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the whereabouts. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." mysterious business." "And that is--" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece are, I think, all that we need." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I think that I had better go, Holmes." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to take care of herself." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful in a very precise fashion." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You man. I know him from the photograph." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Did you become engaged then?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock notes," he said. happened." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Edgeware Road. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my enough to aid us in our search." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to surprise her." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I am to be neutral?" direction." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are out of this horrible affair." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Nothing?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You have the photograph?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, death." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." had formerly been in part my own. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the sofa. This way, please!" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you despair." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every