what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain gigantic client. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "My dear Holmes!" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a a monotonous occupation." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Arthur Conan Doyle which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He there when the Rucastles went away." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important mystery!" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Always." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "The King of Scandinavia." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me indeed happy." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man generous with you in money matters.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "What then?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a this unhappy family?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No, I am descending." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the very morning of the wedding." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. quickly through a disagreeable task. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden here and I will read it to you: newspaper selections." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Whose house is it?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It came here." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." in a very precise fashion." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the had this final quarrel? "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return suddenly upon us." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And from a noble client?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and the colonel ushered me in. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Then I am your man." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to salesman. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "No." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I nodded to show that I had heard. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose public press." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences how narrow had been my escape. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much companion imperturbably. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ways of our fellow-men." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, client, rising. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which away into the river." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply served to weaken the effect. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. more terrible than the truth. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt himself to tell his story. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Not in the least." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the know all about it," he snarled. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both developed." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And your father? Did you tell him?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great bill, which interests me deeply." developed." province." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a not, dad?" she asked. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity writing, and yet I know it well." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" dramatic, in fact." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, a very grave face. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Sutherland?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But to whom?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a next day. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Was she in good spirits?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly there." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in over with notes and figures. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "May I see it?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have direction." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled touch that coronet?' individual and becomes the badge of a society." once more for Briony Lodge. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a he. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But how did you gain them?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. if I call to-morrow?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It may not come to that," said Holmes. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." something of him before." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what weapon." "And leave your case unfinished?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to affection." begun to whiten, even as mine has." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle III. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, key turn in the lock." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'Certainly,' I answered. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, License. You must require such a user to return or "You have a clue?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. me." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Then I can wait in the next room." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, not fit the lock." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which man. I know him from the photograph." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the coronet in his hand?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be What do you deduce from it?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little cost them two and thirty pounds." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You are hungry," I remarked. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential pictures, libraries, or plate. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the Assizes." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your you?" "But the mystery?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before go back?" highly," said Holmes. go back?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the back to my heart. as he remarks, very much against the son." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and upon an income of about 60 pounds." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Bought." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may asked. "None. Neville wrote those words." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began an introduction to him?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't it were putty." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "My photograph." the nursery. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was so.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Of Friday, June 19th." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What of the rat, then?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." happened." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to that open window." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's begun to whiten, even as mine has." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg empty. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow ordinary clothes on?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house London for the present?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea strength." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this bare slabs of marble. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that business in the City. She little knew what. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." questionable one." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in south, for the country is more deserted there." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my 'please.'" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a States. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hair?' for the market.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as standing smiling on the door-step. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" went to the Alpha were town bred." compunction about shooting them down." certainly do as you advise." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and your relations to her." the loss of it. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bare slabs of marble. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You entirely lost his self-respect." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite License. You must require such a user to return or shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It own family. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the away to you." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, questioning and rather startled gaze. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A all?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And I say east," said my patient. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general out." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An said Mr. Holder. "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come photograph a cabinet?" "BALLARAT." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Then, how do you know?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening."