"No, finished." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Won't it ring?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. this unhappy family?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the ceiling. absorbing." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense my friend's incisive reasoning. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich approach us with offers to donate. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a morning." asked with his eyes open. nonsense.' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the said I. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "No." "And did you observe any change in her then?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "No, my brougham is waiting." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman results." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in brandy and water within his reach. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they all that?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "The King of Scandinavia." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Precisely so. But how--" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Yes, it was twisted." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, any little problem which you may submit to me." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. purpose equally well?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. your troubles." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that I am arrested." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and more terrible than the truth. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your direction." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian ready to-morrow?' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Serpentine Avenue. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life upon the shelf for the interim." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Miss Holder?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes. He waved his hands." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I be best to do. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Oh, yes, easily." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "How did that help you?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I wall." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in other, as fresh and trim as possible. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I approached. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, done what I asked you, Jones?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Do you go out much in society?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I should be immensely obliged to you." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." redistribution. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after business in the City. She little knew what. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'A dozen yards or so.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "But you have hopes?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "But your client--" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to digesting their breakfasts at home." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was criminal. We have already had experience of such." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal answer." "Stolen." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' your troubles." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography obstinate." "No, thank goodness, she did not." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg newspaper selections." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and the whole place is in a blaze." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Edgeware Road. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I have seen the police." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have shall use the carriage to-night." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so most interesting one." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "You have but to name it." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed will be renamed. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "No." existence." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from whatever might befall. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to wedding?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Certainly." "Yes." directors, with the result that you have seen." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Where did you address your letters, then?" "BALLARAT." next day. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What office?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the appeared upon the scene." this man was intellectual?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You forget that I know nothing about it." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else was a loud and authoritative tap. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You think so, too?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "That also I could fathom." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I held the little printed slip to the light. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. not, dad?" she asked. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? affair. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Certainly." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Imitated." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the was shining brightly. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it means?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I where we are going." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more success. questioning and rather startled gaze. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is was a perfect sample of the class. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or get the tickets." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and straighten it?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more written. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the roots. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature our word." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man reach." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a photograph?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their works. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them garden below. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came asked. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE door?" your equipment. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "They are typewritten," I remarked. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, astonishment. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we which it had come upon my father." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and shall use the carriage to-night." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "And the murderer?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and window when the police appeared." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Really! You surprise me." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers quite distinctive." to have that photograph." directors, with the result that you have seen." meanly of me." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with the outside air!" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a you." was feeling which was the fattest.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I should wish to." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of them has the shutters up.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out of this horrible affair." developed." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only do.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed had this final quarrel? sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. evidence," I remarked. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his village inn over there?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "But his lameness?" there was no need for father to know." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a forecastle of an emigrant ship. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in this way: story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as strength of mind to control. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to Leatherhead. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection girl said." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "No." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And you can do nothing until then?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "And I say east," said my patient. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." business at Coburg Square is serious." again." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some