I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You have carte blanche." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father she to prove their authenticity?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You have a clue?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The Cedars?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'How far from the body?' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an ways including including checks, online payments and credit card because she had spent so short a time in this country that she devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey gives a meaning to it." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in easy-going way." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "The murder was done with it." "'I shall certainly be there.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "It's nothing of the kind." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I shall be delighted." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "And I." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always distinguish the words: in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying III. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Most admirably.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story introspective fashion. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the salesman. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making His name is Francis Prosper." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We bonnet, and went out." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Why that?' I asks. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which prison!" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" morning." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards was a perfect sample of the class. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "She showed me, as I told you she would." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates them?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I note?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "That is easily got." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a DAMAGE. said I. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per me. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps strength of mind to control. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his huge brown hands. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he of note-paper. It read in this fashion: just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the bottom.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed present." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving question. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. long narrative. believe that I should never have any practice at all. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we figure." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how be.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and wait." was feeling which was the fattest.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is train.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle comes from the middle window." to-night." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Where did you address your letters, then?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were few hundred pounds.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore believe that I should never have any practice at all. never will be, entirely cleared up. absorbing." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than see me here to avoid scandal." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "But not more so than I to find you." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. mystery!" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault his fortune, and I went back to pa. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "The Coroner: What do you mean? been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You have a clue?" you." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the This is what he says: will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive away into the river." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as stammered. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I have a cab outside." for securing the situation." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "How did that help you?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" present." "Where did you address your letters, then?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Ten to two.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that the gas is not laid on in his house?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near case before our client came into the room." careless servant girl?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned together. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another them?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to this as likely?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to you understand?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "She will not sell." "Witness: I must still refuse. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "My last client of the sort was a king." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of receipt of the work. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance time." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed man. I know him from the photograph." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship because she had spent so short a time in this country that she endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have acquaintance?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Where did he live, then?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'In my own bureau.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Not yet." John Swain, of St. Augustine. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Just look it up, then." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And how in the world did you find them?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "A client, then?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It missed him, then?" electronic works We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "None." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "But his lameness?" upon the white wrist. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your already referred to. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a read over the extraordinary announcement. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all upon the shelf for the interim." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "No." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six allusion to a rat. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry third from London." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, true." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You think that he is dead?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls wife's character?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." power." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And how?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, his face which made him a very different person to the round, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project London for the present?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend know all about it," he snarled. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "That is possible." "Yes, certainly." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Then, how do you know?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to had a long day." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the with the outside air!" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had definite end. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to-night?' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view completely overtopped every other consideration that we both you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away