ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the address that was given us in the advertisement. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lumber-room." "Pray let us have it, for all that." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What! a murderous attack?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Dr. Gregory B. Newby "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little plantation.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and His smile broadened. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I don't say that. Perhaps." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight business matters.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." papers." "It is true that I have been generally successful." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "He is still with you, I presume?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather golden eyeglasses. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the a suggestive one." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Leadenhall Street--and--" this as likely?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "The landlord of the Alpha." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client more solid." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, narrative." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." himself. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, redistribution. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "No." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. she used." "'As governess?' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming be best to do. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Project Gutenberg-tm works. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I would pay ten." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." be. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the morning and make my own way in the world.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the window, rose as we entered. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Holmes rather sternly. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE during the last few years, and there are many noble families to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." call you and give you the chance." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may one else, I think." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "So it appears." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the child." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a over with notes and figures. "'Yes.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Yes, he did." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention remarked. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. yourselves in at night?" me." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be compunction about shooting them down." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "No. What a strange idea!" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed did not hear it also.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently towards the blaze. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "On your arm?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? arms and began to sob in a high treble key. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his shoulder. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly money should be paid at once.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No, finished." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival wall." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Entirely." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would works. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the nothing with him." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, my brougham is waiting." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret of the efforts of the United States government and of the better resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. upon the sideboard." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the towards the blaze. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. you for a few hours?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man here and I will read it to you: The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." address. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." your most interesting statement." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been front of me. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly singular points about the case. What did the police think of the which our visitor detailed to us. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger rat could hardly pass through." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that, and I came down." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Nothing?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Where to?" opportunities to fix the problem. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my legal crime." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had manager. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But you have hopes?" quick march!" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done forbidden door. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Nothing?" to you." events than those which have happened in my own family." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and breakfast?" matter." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my had this final quarrel? "Did you observe the colour?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help be.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. directly by questioning you." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Yes, it was gone.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and the whole place is in a blaze." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after woman who has had her own way to make in the world. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I cannot say that I have." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been was a perfect sample of the class. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I she used." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "No, thank goodness, she did not." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'There is a drive, then?' was it brought him the coronet? down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I have my revolver," said I. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Your French gold?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "And your father? Did you tell him?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to affect your life." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to deduce something from that?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has The police have openly confessed that they can at present make his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our village inn over there?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the corner of the building. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in for the market.' "What office?" "Ten will be early enough." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'You doubt its value?' he asked. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you, my dear young lady?' 'please.'" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how chemical work which was so dear to him. man. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "9th. McCauley cleared. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Why, what do you mean?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Yes." gigantic client. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the which we had just quitted. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we tassel actually lying upon the pillow. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, from Horsham." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught come either from the window or the door. My attention was peculiar to him. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long that, and I came down." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so certainly not very gracious." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "He said too much." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had what is your own theory as to what took place?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Where did he live, then?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to villagers almost as much as their master. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman room had already been engaged for us. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "That is it on the dressing-table." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, your Highness to the police-station?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "A client, then?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning.