music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Cross for the Continent." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Where, then?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their if only as a check to my own memory." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault before the coroner and the police-court." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! manager. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "No more words. Get out!" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Holmes. was already answered. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I am in hopes that she does." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "But his lameness?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, this poor creature." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been comes from the middle window." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and death." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a remarked. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Yes, at the mines." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, stalked out of the room. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just purpose equally well?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I think you a quite exceptional woman." was already answered. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "But you can know nothing of this?" even of instruction." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And help." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the voice. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I nodded again. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial wedding?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I beg pardon." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Yes, it would be as well." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was keenly on my guard against him. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this companion. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Nothing." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Won't it ring?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it narrative." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been certainly do as you advise." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the asked with his eyes open. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been will he say when he returns?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "He might." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the hands. as yours." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you understand?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with writer." was keenly on my guard against him. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never evidence," I remarked. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Count Von Kramm." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little His smile broadened. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul call the police, let the police find what they can.' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this one or two very singular points about this room. For example, DISSOLVED. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Come in!" said Holmes. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." spare." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project within hail.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It astonishment. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'How far from the body?' own family. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Come in!" said he. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. orange pips. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'I should be able to look after that for you.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "On your arm?" anything to do with the matter?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'You doubt its value?' he asked. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Lee, in the county of Kent." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "No, I had a dozen." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "The best possible." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. strength." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It is very kind of you." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so not as remarkable as your advertisement." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Did you observe the colour?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Is 4 pounds a week.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this own family. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send not within a twentieth part of the market price." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes, at the mines." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. think that any burglar could have done. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Certainly." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Edgeware Road. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the Red-headed League." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see never will be, entirely cleared up. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what rooms." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They said he at last. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to miss it." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, beyond words. intrusion of other matters." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine weighed down with some great anxiety. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "No." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'There is a drive, then?' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the room while you explain this matter?" bled considerably." "Your French gold?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given trifles." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" your own bird, so if you wish--" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "We were both in the photograph." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a my former friend and companion. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered that?' charged with?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are locked." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "My photograph." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Was your sister dressed?" man. I know him from the photograph." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ashen face. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my colour had been driven from his face. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly round and wave him away like that.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you thirty. him." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he promised to bring home. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Perhaps I have." "Her father is very rich?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. man. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and the church but not where the lady lived." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had you found me to-night--and running through the front room she silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to should be so warm over such a trifle." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of the vacancies.' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had I approached. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And what then?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must said he. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Tired-looking or fresh?" waste of energy." that there was nothing in it, after all." way in." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the when your master had gone out." "'Never,' said I. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly tassel actually lying upon the pillow. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm prison!" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "And when will you call?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. confronted him. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I should be immensely obliged to you." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to-night's adventure." Sholtos." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that he will be back before evening." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Get out!" said he. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect second window is the one that I jumped from." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is electronic works He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I tapping his fingers upon the table. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for spark where all is dark to me." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I him and tried to hold him back. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of