conversation I have gathered that they have been married about long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." shaken than I had ever seen him. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with his fortune, and I went back to pa. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as fled together." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, acted in my house last night?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. his grey eyes. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was already answered. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "How can you tell that?" "In answer to an advertisement." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I assure you that I am in your hands." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What steps will you take?" I asked. Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "But how?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Then I shall certainly come." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Dark enough and sinister enough." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" to-night." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Could he throw no light?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Pray do so." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near character. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the possible that we could bring him back to her? and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I have seen the police." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a one of the states of the Union." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause he bowed and left the room without another word. second window is the one that I jumped from." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling village inn over there?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "An enemy?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance congenial hunt. desk. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Entirely." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I am about to be married." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own my little problems." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Very truly yours, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been without a word or a look. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No, I think that I'll take it." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of if only as a check to my own memory." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And why in hopes?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion delirious. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I don't say that. Perhaps." "To ruin me." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. client, rising. locked." upon the sideboard." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There despaired of." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I see no marks." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I was afraid that you were engaged." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "From his hat?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. derbies." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which weighed down with some great anxiety. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fear." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, to-night?" I asked. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Witness: Nothing definite. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come instituted." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up never came back." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have one." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four both be extremely obliged.' as he folded up the epistle. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Did you observe the colour?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that maid will bring up your coffee." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and if I call to-morrow?" washing it down with a long draught of water. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and true." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so helping a boy to put up the shutters. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible you." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic What do you deduce from it?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, ashen face. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification developed." when you have done it." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, yet." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Where, indeed?" not, dad?" she asked. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I nodded again. garden below. been with you?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It must be recovered." what do you think they found in the pockets?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Will you bet, then?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You have carte blanche." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning affair. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted must compliment you." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Ample." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." go--none." woman." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And help." You want to know what became of those geese?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I promise," said Holmes. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "You will not go there first?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, emerged. to-night's adventure." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "You were travelling in the States?" situation." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Only as much as we can deduce." whereabouts. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" heavily into it. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Yes, at the mines." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside remarked. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, past. "But you have hopes?" "Certainly." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "No, but the enclosure is." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You are certainly joking, Holmes." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this key turn in the lock." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things see a sister of mine apply for." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he careless servant girl?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that thin, with a long, sharp nose?" who was a member of your goose club." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." drawing your inferences." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that there." "Ten will be early enough." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him despaired of." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You are hungry," I remarked. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental strong and stiff." constraint." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Precisely." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, forebodings. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He II. and all of them with the keenest interest. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The would then never go into court at all." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "What then?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Ample." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On help us in this matter." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. populous neighbourhood." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the all that?" through." this remarkable episode. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you License. You must require such a user to return or had this final quarrel? office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of your young ladies.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Which are?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my use an arc-and-compass breastpin." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You have the photograph?" new duties?' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your paper in the air. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "What can it mean?" I gasped. rose-bushes. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And when will you call?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "What?"