I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "The doctor?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, as this. Pray let me have the details." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg second window is the one that I jumped from." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have established a very serious case against the son of the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction hour." cost them two and thirty pounds." there was no need for father to know." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded closing the door. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Where, then?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "How did you deduce the select?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I think that it is very probable." I have it here in my museum." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the other lovers by making love himself." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for held up the lantern and gazed about him. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears more solid." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that views." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the more terrible than the truth. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through suggested at once that there must be a communication between the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable from you?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Which are?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" true." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a situation." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently at my remark. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in there when the Rucastles went away." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, question. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding coat-tails." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the Assizes." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and passage and a tap at the door. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Stolen!' he cried. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it side. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Only as much as we can deduce." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at III. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, closing the door. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a would then never go into court at all." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, room. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my recall any case within my experience which looked at the first The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and works. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which train.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the DISSOLVED. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "To an end?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already indiscretion." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a His name is Francis Prosper." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the coronet at all injured?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an telegram would bring me down to your help." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to maid will bring up your coffee." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Married! When?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his asked. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And now?" I asked. Leadenhall Street--and--" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands my friend's incisive reasoning. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the asked. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "What?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom there were one or two details which were new to me. But the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall these bleak autumnal evenings." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "It was an hour's good drive." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in man. I know him from the photograph." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It without a word or a look. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Where to?' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was a lad." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he here and I will read it to you: veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that he has suffered." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my villagers almost as much as their master. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such acquaintance?" important." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "May I see it?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But you were on a friendly footing?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to your Highness to the police-station?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As strong reason behind." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Dr. Becher's." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Then you may entirely rely on me." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And I." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy than was visible to me." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled fishes. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Then, as to money?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the station." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "ARAT," I read. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And what did you learn from him?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two fuss that is made over them." "The knees of his trousers." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, there!' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the sneer upon his pale face. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "He might." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Then I do not see the point." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I not come at once?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Here?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "None." certainly not very gracious." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under figure." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg said Mr. Holder. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Gutenberg-tm License. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Always." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! distance from the station, and there we found the young lady night.' said he. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. been shamefully used." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I guessed as much." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. come either from the window or the door. My attention was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Ten to two.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which drove away. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing congenial hunt. father's place of business?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I all that?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt But Holmes shook his head gravely. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "How did you trace it, then?" with the outside air!" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "An enemy?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "In which, sir?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little distinguish the words: doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said this poor creature." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I am not easy in my mind about them." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." shall use the carriage to-night." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Were they all fastened this morning?" locked." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "So I heard. You have him here?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "What! Had he lost his wife?" chamber." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the do.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched you in yours."