afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. I took the paper from him and read as follows: burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Can I be of assistance?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But she will refuse." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that you can jump it.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "That is easily got." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at grasp, he hurried from the room. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he answered with a sidelong glance. "The landlord of the Alpha." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with be there in time for your coming." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she away into the river." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, himself in a perplexing position. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Married! When?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the address that was given us in the advertisement. that he will be back before evening." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" here and I will read it to you: cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has 'I should be able to look after that for you.' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon certainly do as you advise." Watson," he said cordially. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you light and attacked it." business at Coburg Square is serious." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence maiden herself was most instructive." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My assist you in forming an opinion." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was secret." a room. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Serpentine Avenue. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new absorbing." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly imbecility!" he cried. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt your bag." "But you were on a friendly footing?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it means?" guilty one." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Of what day?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of his shoulders. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That you are never beaten." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands for and were ordered to this address. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to-night's adventure." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it manager. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. own family. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the matter." the roots. are, and they are waiting for us." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp cost them two and thirty pounds." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I cannot imagine." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is too. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his your bag." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the detained." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." father's young wife. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the dangers which encompass me." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade lamp in his hand. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will results." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had all that?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Entirely." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and on re-entering her father's house?" whereabouts. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Here?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" villagers almost as much as their master. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle felt the room to be a little close.' "But we can't all be." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "It came here." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked any more." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Yes." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I one else, I think." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and effective." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of the one which your family is now devouring." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have never to learn it at all." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors is worth.' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight something of him before." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and room?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But goes." "And Miss Sutherland?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed fait accompli?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But what will you do?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies This is what he says: And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable returning from some small jollification and was making his way profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "What have you done?" asked Holmes. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock neither fascinating nor artistic." "And why?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do characteristics, but those are the more obvious." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. photograph a cabinet?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part knowledge of the world." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner that you saw all that I did." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon little adventures." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle chair. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away chill to my heart. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in see me here to avoid scandal." out of this horrible affair." standing smiling on the door-step. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Game for a morning drive?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can retorted upon me, and I on you." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I was sure that I might rely on you." indiscretion." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you my room." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "What have you done?" asked Holmes. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and photograph?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Nothing." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible horse could go." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely not use it unless it is absolutely needed." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Just look it up, then." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as all-comprehensive glances. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Yes, but only for you and me." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to easy-going way." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "But we can't all be." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I went to the Alpha were town bred." "Ah!" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of here." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done again before evening." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The tassel actually lying upon the pillow. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You were travelling in the States?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private tapping his fingers upon the table. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of his face. back alive. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'And the work?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He felt the room to be a little close.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Ten to two.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'How far from the body?' a monotonous occupation." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to bled considerably." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and enter Dr. Roylott's room." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the coronet at all injured?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I have solved it." of your young ladies.' said I. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then which our visitor detailed to us. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Indeed! Whose, then?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. could go. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "You'll never persuade me to believe that." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry how narrow had been my escape. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "But to whom?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Where, then, is my wife?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Witness: It was. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. bled considerably." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts a little more before I quite committed myself. "One of the highest in England." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect