large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and for its centre. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Sutherland. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "She walked into the breakfast-room." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Always." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "You have but to name it." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most perplexity from it to my illustrious client. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "There are none." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, are, and they are waiting for us." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and I shall be with you presently." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, down. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Pool. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, get her out of the way." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on behind me. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." long narrative. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock tapping his fingers upon the table. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I cannot imagine." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you he. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I cannot tell." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Dark enough and sinister enough." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle thin, with a long, sharp nose?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste digesting their breakfasts at home." "I think that it is very probable." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Nothing." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person may never be exposed to such a temptation." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I approached. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to-night?' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" morning." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" this man was intellectual?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "When did it break out?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "But his lameness?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have accepted such a situation. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the come either from the window or the door. My attention was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the system of imprisonment?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa forecastle of an emigrant ship. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "The murder was done with it." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must your most interesting statement." "Will you go?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of do.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his tightly behind him. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the has little to do with my story." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers business came to an end." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the for the market.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the next day. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad The events in question occurred in the early days of my of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working come either from the window or the door. My attention was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It goes to the housekeeper's room." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all society." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The guilty parties." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went gentleman's clothes. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the little trying to do so much typewriting?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Look there!" said he. which we had just quitted. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Have you good authority for what you say?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Count Von Kramm." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Only as much as we can deduce." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' had a long day." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so obstinate." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the armchair which I pushed forward for him. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror disappearance of the bride.'" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "My Mary? Impossible!" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their daring than any effort of the imagination." "How on earth--" "Yes." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of manager. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'I have heard so.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of clang of the bell. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. indeed happy." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been present strange and interesting features that it is no easy until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Stoke Moran?" said he. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I nights." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. interested in these little problems, and since you are good burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the detained." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a minor matters until to-morrow." do." "None." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of least a fellow-countryman. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, better grown goose." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "It was." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" ventilator." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I don't say that. Perhaps." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always strength." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds throat." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'What, the red-headed man?' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and inquire as to the address." presented more singular features than that which was associated A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in such person." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and foresight and the moral retrogression?" stammered. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely weigh very heavily upon my conscience." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in ventilator." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap writer." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has lectures into a series of tales." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Did he not advertise?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "We must have a cab." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church fear." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "None." "What! You do not mean bodies?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and yet." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and you." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key such person." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was should be taken.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the Red-headed League." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran garden below. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "He disappeared so suddenly." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Dirty?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "None." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the friends, not even his own brother. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. get the tickets." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "You have carte blanche." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a it with his own hands." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can yourselves in at night?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness me." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his appeal." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I was mad--insane." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and absorbing." and no precautions can guard against." had picked up in the wood. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way events, Mr. Windibank!"