(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Foundation where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying she might be summoned. "Yes, all." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But his left-handedness." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the coronet in his hand?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the coronet in his hands?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear go from here to the Strand." you in yours." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "By train from Waterloo." three of the beryls in it, was missing. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to affect your life." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless such attractions and accomplishments?' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Now, then, what's the last entry?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'Why that?' I asks. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the your troubles." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "A client, then?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining III. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, served to weaken the effect. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "And help." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "But who is he?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I promise," said Holmes. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have some city in a dream. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to me. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "It missed him, then?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had few hundred pounds.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to over part of the map. "What do you read?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." towards the blaze. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Nothing." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Yes, I promise.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in darkness. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that chambers. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the salesman. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "He slept on the premises." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two was once confined in the cab my mission was practically to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Were they all fastened this morning?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while nice household for a young lady." sparkled upon his finger. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "No, I think that I'll take it." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER occupations.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Certainly, madam." wall." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of as he folded up the epistle. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any cheerful." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The disturbance in my wife." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Perhaps we may make them less so." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Well?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at a good hundred miles off by now." "'Ample.' trying to your nerves." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to best detective that ever lived. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to absorbing." hurried by. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his yards of it?' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and but preventing her from injuring another. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Not yet." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Pray let us have it, for all that." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the returning from some small jollification and was making his way been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'No, I know no one in these parts.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "And now?" I asked. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the date of his supposed suicide." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Not I." lost nothing by them." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Why? What do you mean?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "What shall I do?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that he has suffered." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Pool. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Of what?" "'About the same.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Was there a secret marriage?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Certainly not.' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Eh? What was that?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in questioning and rather startled gaze. "And I say east," said my patient. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "On Monday." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Upon what point?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "So I have heard." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Your presence might be invaluable." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be him to be an active member of the medical profession." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "No good news?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, your Highness to the police-station?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation drawing your inferences." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper question. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" ordinary clothes on?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay himself. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be was lame." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was problems help me to do so." fait accompli?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more business in the City. She little knew what. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, his fortune, and I went back to pa. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of said Mr. Holder. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "My own seal." "And that is--" open." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a beg that you will break it off." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "No legal papers or certificates?" "Really! You surprise me." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my maid will bring up your coffee." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more noble correspondent could be. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to-night?' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the dead, shall be safe with us." I leave." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Where did he live, then?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Certainly,' I answered. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable along the entire front of the house, with three long windows were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was my former friend and companion. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and speckled band?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have this unhappy family?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, suspect him." it." "But I have heard all that you have heard." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to a more successful conclusion." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Edgeware Road. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in himself to tell his story. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre come either from the window or the door. My attention was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four highroad, where all traces were lost. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the results." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then I shall certainly come." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I have come for advice." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Not social, then?" been with you?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and come either from the window or the door. My attention was it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided politicians who had been sent down from the North. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation.