days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the room while you explain this matter?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down front of the hall door has given its name to the place. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "But what harm can there be in that?" said I. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a it. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, mysterious business." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further own family. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a have got?" "Certainly." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his eyes and forehead. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just me. You must get home instantly and act." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I shall most certainly do so." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms go--none." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "And from a noble client?" "But how will you look?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a really the only notable feature about the thing." III. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "The doctor?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "And you thought he was pulled back?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It occurred." the roots. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Two days later this same performance was gone through under wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "No, finished." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I was afraid that you were engaged." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. your Highness to the police-station?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I was sure that I might rely on you." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and put his glass in his pocket. "'There is a drive, then?' strength." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself golden eyeglasses. intrusion of other matters." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already arrangements." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my three fields round his house, and there he would take his morning." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, himself. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in a friendly supper." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some copied or distributed: "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No sign of it?" "He might." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in giving me time to thank him. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "From his hat?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I approached. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could words came to my lips. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very into the bag, and made for the door. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And I." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "It is very kind of you." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about floor. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. goes." think that he is innocent?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the ceiling. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and key turn in the lock." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I cannot think." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, these bleak autumnal evenings." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip paper in the air. bears upon the case?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the note?" joking. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's nonsense.' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Proceed, then." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Why that?' I asks. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "My Mary? Impossible!" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Yes." once more. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Stoke Moran?" said he. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes, certainly." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so as this. Pray let me have the details." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking definite end. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And why?" trying to your nerves." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know ceremony." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Never.' death." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by this poor creature." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a think that he is innocent?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the conceal it?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Then the page we have seen--" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my possible that we could bring him back to her? the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and glanced through. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than DAMAGE. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, stepfather?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up as he folded up the epistle. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." eavesdroppers?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera have established a very serious case against the son of the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." least a most suspicious remark." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed empty. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport colonel looking down at me. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. occurred." you." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the relief. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up here." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "But what harm can there be in that?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. tear off another piece?' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction trying to your nerves." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "In answer to an advertisement." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I would pay ten." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "And what then?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "But how?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could father's young wife. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than seven miles from Eyford Station.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have not had my rubber." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Why serious?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" straighten it?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Pray tell us what has happened to you." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Nothing?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Just look it up, then." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Stolen." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Did you observe the colour?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I shall certainly be there.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are instituted." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "And your father? Did you tell him?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel whether it answered to the description of any of their man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, disturbance in my wife." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that you can jump it.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the coronet at all injured?" "Will you bet, then?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But he might be a bachelor." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' upon the shelf for the interim." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "She showed me, as I told you she would." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I will not look." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Why did you pick him?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and business." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of way in everything. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "What is it?" flock.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "By train from Waterloo." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.'