Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the some city in a dream. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I am armed." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more acted in my house last night?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Always." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in if I call to-morrow?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Dirty?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then he might have called to you?" that you saw all that I did." confronted him. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, constraint." "Then, how do you know?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the companion quietly. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do neither fascinating nor artistic." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Pope's Court, Fleet Street." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to this Miss Turner." look upon these things in a different way." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "We must have a cab." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Really! You surprise me." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who been shamefully used." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to change my dress. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Yes." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his humiliation." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "He is dead," cried several voices. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of this poor creature." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "One of his hands." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his eyes and forehead. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And what did you learn from him?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me directors have had misgivings upon the subject." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed not within a twentieth part of the market price." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a there has been an enclosure here!" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are suddenly upon us." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and face and glided from the room. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I nodded to show that I had heard. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it wedding?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "No." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' showing my impatience. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "The King of Scandinavia." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that I can to serve you." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "The murder was done with it." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. better in every way that they should make their position a little way in everything. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the devil!" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of who was a member of your goose club." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would already been minutely examined." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "And how did you find out?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes, sir." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to It may be so in this case, also." business?" stammered. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You have a clue?" "Not yet." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Ten to two.' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of round with crates and massive boxes. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the business in the City. She little knew what. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, voice, changing her seat as requested. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But I have heard all that you have heard." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." me. You must get home instantly and act." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes, it was twisted." something of him before." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." when your master had gone out." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I cannot tell." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Yes." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what you want, then?' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. I nodded again. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "The murder was done with it." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that you want, then?' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the night.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "In what way?" asked Holmes. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Never." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the salesman. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly instituted." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still recall any case within my experience which looked at the first road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. better grown goose." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an over with notes and figures. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the tragedy. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just certainly do as you advise." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better mysterious end." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "What is it?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Eh? What was that?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless country, and eventually married, without anyone having a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his knees, staring into the fire. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing IS Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. existence." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "She told me to ask you." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And how in the world did you find them?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Munro.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "That is unusual in a young girl." the coronet at all injured?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that again, where I was soon asleep. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a promised to bring home. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he true." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I have come for advice." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Certainly." "What! You do not mean bodies?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Perhaps I have." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "BALLARAT." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Street. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Thank you. Pray proceed." outside. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly room?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And why?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She outbreak?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll back alive. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. returning from some small jollification and was making his way the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that, and I came down." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the bottom.' over with notes and figures. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Her father is very rich?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible any." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "None." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "What will you do, then?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, strong and stiff." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to change my dress. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone interests were the same as his." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Game for a morning drive?" security.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which with you alone." "Certainly, madam." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away