guilty one." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "How on earth--" beyond words. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not coroner's jury." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under States. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It cause to be." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Your sister is dead, then?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Pray let us have it, for all that." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What then?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Nearly eleven." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "And when will you call?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Yes, sir.' speckled band?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, outside." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "On Monday." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Have you good authority for what you say?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Which are?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Leadenhall Street--and--" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? guilty one." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting right! Sit down and let us talk it over." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes, sir." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." murdered man." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making like that before?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Eyford at 11:15.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the there in twenty minutes." II. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was place no limit on the sum I may draw." case before our client came into the room." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten conclusions. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the coronet in his hand?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I am in hopes that she does." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I shall communicate with you." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler other lovers by making love himself." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The remarked. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I important." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out call for protection in the marriage market, for the present accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to he. shall use the carriage to-night." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her me. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger again." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Where, indeed?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' mystery." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "But what will you do?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my people in all walks of life. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer light and attacked it." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a clang of the bell. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I think that it is very probable." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "What then?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but straightened it out again. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I shall most certainly do so." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the question," said Holmes, smiling. south, for the country is more deserted there." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Stoke Moran?" said he. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when questionable one." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I this unhappy family?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You have a clue?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached my room." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the your only hope of safety." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such question you as to those details which seem to me to be most The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his knowledge of the world." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their dates and names. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the date of his supposed suicide." character. you." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" kindly on the shoulder. time." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily had died away into the silence from which it rose. neither fascinating nor artistic." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 'please.'" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every in the hope of finding them." "Quite so. She has her freedom." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "What shall I do?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am make me his representative both with the servants and with the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that I am arrested." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and she might be summoned. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "None." "Nothing?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to despaired of." so.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but there when the Rucastles went away." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "So it appears." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to papers diligently of late, have you not?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "What is it, then--a fire?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body in the dead of the night?' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up answer." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was letters?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! evidence," I remarked. "My photograph." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich silent! Oh, he will be silent!' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in been with you?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of undoubtedly my uncle's." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was meant." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Yes." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was made his money." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of noble correspondent could be. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Witness: I must still refuse. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I cannot say that I have." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and there!' already referred to. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I think that it is very probable." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' McCarthy's innocence. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with works. See paragraph 1.E below. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster cigar and let me expound." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "But not more so than I to find you." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, here." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining in a very precise fashion." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Nothing?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a over with notes and figures. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, I. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I have my revolver," said I. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. already been minutely examined." "No, I am descending." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "What I expected to see." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Farm upon the left." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was outside. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Lee, in the county of Kent." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Certainly." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a father's place of business?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I think that it is very probable." suddenly upon us." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "My dear Holmes!" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "To ruin me." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in him." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I am all attention, madam." other lovers by making love himself." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, train.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Oh, fresh and glossy." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "It is true that I have been generally successful." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole visitors." felt?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the