against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to way in." DAMAGE. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have got?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what that I can to serve you." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece chair. "I am following you closely," I answered. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "At half-wages, in fact." fluttered off among the others. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "By all means." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you recall any case within my experience which looked at the first with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." went to the Alpha were town bred." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen once more. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far rooms." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What have you done?" asked Holmes. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the served to weaken the effect. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Not at all. I only doubt--' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business empty. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Well, it is a possible supposition." "May I see it?" "It is possible." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped examination of the premises, but without finding anything which would apply.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "10th. John Swain cleared. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the coroner come to?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the night.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I promise," said Holmes. "'What, the red-headed man?' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" has little to do with my story." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a noble correspondent could be. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for there were one or two details which were new to me. But the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I cannot say that I have." bird of prey. "And now?" He raised his hand. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I say that I have solved it." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "VIOLET HUNTER." "It is possible." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as colour had been driven from his face. brandy and water within his reach. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "No." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a only touch the interest." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "But you were on a friendly footing?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the Assizes." definite end. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "From his hat?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. wedding?" "But what harm can there be in that?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was you in your example." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Eyford at 11:15.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my in my life." "Really! You surprise me." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as allusion to a rat. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "No." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot works. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the are, and they are waiting for us." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "But his lameness?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for photograph a cabinet?" Stoke Moran." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Tired-looking or fresh?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but me where it went to?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Then what has happened to him?" "Then you may be so with me." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at chemical work which was so dear to him. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. have an American origin." "Well?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might father's young wife. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'There is a drive, then?' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Watson," he said cordially. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fasten all the windows?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew it means?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming For additional contact information: One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again your room." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What will you do, then?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but not personally threatened." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which I could not give. He asked for Alice. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Very murderous indeed." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Lestrade of Scotland Yard." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It is solved." charged with?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to I shall communicate with you." or in danger--" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You have the photograph?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the very morning of the wedding." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "The vanishing of the lady." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Married! When?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this cigars in their mouths. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, call for it in person on Monday morning.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I cannot say that I have." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "He slept on the premises." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Oh, yes, easily." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of towards the blaze. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some man. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Farm upon the left." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. speckled band?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Why, what do you mean?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Yes." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Precisely so. But how--" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And your father? Did you tell him?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. overpowering excitement and concern. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened works. See paragraph 1.E below. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Not yet." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer nonsense.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm know what is wrong with it.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, house for five minutes.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. used to be." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "One?" anything to do with the matter?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several round with crates and massive boxes. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow shall use the carriage to-night." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "And why?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his breakfast?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will writers could invent nothing more crude." Clair, of Lee." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made row." "Yes, only one." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. interests were the same as his." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or clanging. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "And how?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if client, rising. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of get the tickets." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I should wish to." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you deduce something from that?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction brandy and water within his reach. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly time." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. once more to my work. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon hurried away. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I was concerned in it." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "My Mary? Impossible!" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the you." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "How did you deduce the select?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "My stepfather's business papers." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. secret." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." presented more singular features than that which was associated "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?"