what is your own theory as to what took place?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how me. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and have this put in the evening papers." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary way: "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I ago." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And on what day did he meet his death?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to his chemical studies. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to humiliation." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "But what will you do?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's could not account in any way for the presence of the missing gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly useful material for showing traces. The double line a little high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and the whole place is in a blaze." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But it has twice been burgled." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "But you have hopes?" question," said Holmes, smiling. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. mysterious business." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time tell them apart.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lamp in his hand. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "You'll never persuade me to believe that." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close she used." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand had a long day." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man may never be exposed to such a temptation." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it you." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "At the wedding breakfast." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ways of our fellow-men." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Witness: It was. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You have but to name it." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had ago." "Your presence might be invaluable." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. been able to understand it, in a very few words. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the station." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you way: "'A dozen yards or so.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I any more." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here not personally threatened." go from here to the Strand." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of foresight and the moral retrogression?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in affection." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Do you know him?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'In my own bureau.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless written. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." relief. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly arrested. You then--" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Can I be of assistance?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster 1.F. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Witness: Nothing definite. Holmes rather sternly. nice household for a young lady." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant silent! Oh, he will be silent!' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." nonsense.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and the colonel ushered me in. "Yes." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. fat-encircled eyes. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to me. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather certainly do as you advise." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it never came back." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and burst out into a roar of laughter. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Entirely." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where business?" "Do you know him?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "What! Had he lost his wife?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "In answer to an advertisement." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Stolen, then." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could would apply.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Never to return." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Why? What do you mean?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, quick march!" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "In answer to an advertisement." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Was your sister dressed?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Entirely.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Were they all fastened this morning?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "How about poison?" back into the street. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that coat-tails." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But he might be a bachelor." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be touch that coronet?' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Oh, no.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress me have 200 pounds?' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of hour?' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have light and attacked it." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss carried out of court." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought all?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A careless servant girl?" II. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the during which he might have communicated with his friend the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's envelope. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "The gentleman I describe." "No." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "But what will you do?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "And you can do nothing until then?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." have an American origin." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on take the flies, but not before." "Seven!" I answered. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the matter?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't seven miles from Eyford Station.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I was mad--insane." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called light and attacked it." events, Mr. Windibank!" the night.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sooner or later she must fall a victim. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and shall probably return to London by the evening train." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best British peeress.'" and the colonel ushered me in. did not hear it also.' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did His smile broadened. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable trying to your nerves." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR highroad, where all traces were lost. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for guilty one." dear old homesteads?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Was your sister dressed?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of father's place of business?" correct than the official force." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission away into the river." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and the church but not where the lady lived." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One room had already been engaged for us. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, whole matter to your consideration." dear old homesteads?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Pool. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very long narrative. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" there!' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I am in hopes that she does." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter should be taken.' take the flies, but not before." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the room had already been engaged for us. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." time." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "But you were on a friendly footing?" appeared upon the scene." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of waste of energy." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I nodded again. "I have seen the police." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet one's self under obligations.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the bed, and you in that chair." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Well, but China?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "To ruin me." you came in." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And your father? Did you tell him?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, key of the affair now." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "But how did you gain them?" these bleak autumnal evenings." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and present." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which should have the effect of calling the attention of the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." at my own good fortune. said I. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Why serious?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been