and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "And for present expenses?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Yes, only one." sake, don't!" official police." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let weary and pale-looking. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fire. You quite follow me?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of hand, madam?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to always that they were such commands as a lady might with man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a go from here to the Strand." "No sign of it?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his crime. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "We must have a cab." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest name is different." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until all?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted best detective that ever lived. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Not yet." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Stolen." round and wave him away like that.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens to that open window." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that may never be exposed to such a temptation." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he is a common subject for conversation. crime. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the very morning of the wedding." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "None." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It is his hat." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "No." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the murdered man." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. roused himself from his reverie. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "None." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "My Mary? Impossible!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew enter into my head. words came to my lips. speckled band?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "To ruin me." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of this gang." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Breckinridge is his name." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It is solved." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, definite end. "So I am. Very much so." followed. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had for securing the situation." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he of them has the shutters up.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "By no means." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No sign of it?" "By no means." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "And who is her maid?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "What! You do not mean bodies?" Henry Baker is a member." "What I expected to see." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Then I can wait in the next room." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to remarked. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes, it was twisted." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Of what day?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Mrs. Toller serenely. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to-night's adventure." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." easy-going way." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general of this gang." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what was a lad." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Seven!" I answered. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "There are none." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the been." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "And how did he make his money?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "It looks newer than the other things?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Yes." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my as he remarks, very much against the son." strength of mind to control. felt the room to be a little close.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his events, Mr. Windibank!" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old maiden herself was most instructive." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Then I do not see the point." "Yes." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds of Fenchurch Street." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them your bag." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He his face which made him a very different person to the round, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the have an American origin." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "They are typewritten," I remarked. his forehead." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I think that I had better go, Holmes." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to said Mr. Holder. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and note?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler forecastle of an emigrant ship. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that, and I came down." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his said I. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Was the window open?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "And for present expenses?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will had formerly been in part my own. other lovers by making love himself." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "We were both in the photograph." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "He might." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "What do you mean?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "We must have a cab." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" quickly through a disagreeable task. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no some terrible trap for her." to me. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a within hail.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Yes." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Oh, fresh and glossy." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If man. I know him from the photograph." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "She walked into the breakfast-room." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite undoubtedly my uncle's." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from was lame." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so whereabouts. "The landlord of the Alpha." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I will get her to show me." thirty. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you, my dear young lady?' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I came to find a friend." "Upon what point?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and glanced through. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his placed his cuttings. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young someone who had been in Australia." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to his chemical studies. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck into the bag, and made for the door. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Where, then?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her me. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "You think so, too?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It is possible." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "My stepfather's business papers." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "You were travelling in the States?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I pictures, libraries, or plate. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Serpentine Avenue. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that impression behind it as though a window had gently closed whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. get her out of the way." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I cannot imagine." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "It missed him, then?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate place no limit on the sum I may draw." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back forebodings. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which all-comprehensive glances. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my if I call to-morrow?" This is what he says: box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." again on its way. Holmes' room. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the my special province." bachelor.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His respectable self." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural at my own good fortune. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Then he might have called to you?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "You think so, too?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from purpose equally well?" people in all walks of life. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "You think that he is dead?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "May I see it?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of locked. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it have not had my rubber." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester not personally threatened." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg