the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the least a most suspicious remark." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the pictures, libraries, or plate. was it brought him the coronet? questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and the church but not where the lady lived." into the bag, and made for the door. before the coroner and the police-court." were unconscious?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the inquest, and which are worth considering." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Have you good authority for what you say?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "One of his hands." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled asked. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a security.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive charge against him will break down." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Get out!" said he. "Your sister is dead, then?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and to a more successful conclusion." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Very truly yours, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the night.' taking in every detail of the apartment. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "You don't mind breaking the law?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, several quiet little villages up there." me." father's young wife. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "And why?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "But she could not love him." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the coroner come to?" "It looks newer than the other things?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the main points of my analysis." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness this remarkable episode. "What then?" have I gained?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes, sir." "It was." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid matters immensely." "I beg pardon." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I to a light-house. which our visitor detailed to us. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Again Holmes raved in the air. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give became a certainty. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "What of the rat, then?" the inner apartment." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you narrative." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from legal crime." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon was keenly on my guard against him. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," distinguish the words: appointment with me for six o'clock?" drove away. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, prisoner's face. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And Irene Adler?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his soul! here is her carriage at the door." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "What!" he roared. "'Yes, sir.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to do.' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at most important business. It is probable that he will be away all open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink away in different directions, and I went off to make my own attention." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat This is what he says: He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it wanted for ourselves." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable any." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Nothing." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable redistribution. locked. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." if only as a check to my own memory." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "At what time?" horse could go." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "You think so, too?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I will do it." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'What then?' I asked. imbecility!" he cried. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, it right.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Will you go?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the loss of it. that?' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. individual and becomes the badge of a society." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and put his glass in his pocket. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the little opening for the ventilator is." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER thirty. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'Yes.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which where Mr. Fordham shows you.' how narrow had been my escape. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Holmes' thin, eager face. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It is true that I have been generally successful." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three singular points about the case. What did the police think of the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "What do you make of that, Watson?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Here?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. third from London." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by despair." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think placed his cuttings. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or at my remark. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable how narrow had been my escape. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." light and attacked it." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Your presence might be invaluable." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more solid." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to that you saw all that I did." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband tightly behind him. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Have you her photograph?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "None." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The locked. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I beg pardon." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lamp in his hand. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, sneer upon his pale face. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And the murderer?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I leave." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought threw himself down with his face to the pillow. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the loss of it. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I in a very precise fashion." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "None. Neville wrote those words." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this when your master had gone out." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his my special province." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. when you have done it." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of bearing upon the case." "I see no marks." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't father's young wife. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' are, and they are waiting for us." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "On Monday." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." detained." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the British peeress.'" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic maiden herself was most instructive." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the tragedy. have one." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Stoke Moran?" said he. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his formed some opinion?" the side-table." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lips." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." gentleman's clothes. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and laid it on the table. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open.