on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It is solved." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his that there was nothing in it, after all." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I am in hopes that she does." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I was mad--insane." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and that he would see to anything that turned up. developed." compunction about shooting them down." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a be there in time for your coming." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in crime." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You are all wrong." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Which are?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of like that before?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "That also I could fathom." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Which surely he restored to their owner?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which stood on the top of it. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped formed some opinion?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'As governess?' leaning back in his chair. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You are hungry," I remarked. gigantic client. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I fear not." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Not in the least." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham papers on the sundial.'" was keenly on my guard against him. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he annoyance, but no jest. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled coat-tails." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up other, as fresh and trim as possible. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a me where it went to?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. situation." "My last client of the sort was a king." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Whose house is it?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And nonsense.' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped you, my dear young lady?' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? lost nothing by them." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought chair. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "None." "Yes." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I assure you that I am in your hands." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But you can know nothing of this?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Seven!" I answered. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows October 9, 1890. "'Yes, I promise.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I approached. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them The note was undated, and without either signature or address. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I would give my fortune to have them back." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "What will you say?" lamp. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "The murder was done with it." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Young McCarthy must be got off, however." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" highroad, where all traces were lost. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Again Holmes raved in the air. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers States. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Where, then, is my wife?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all should be so warm over such a trifle." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the his huge brown hands. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the inquest, and which are worth considering." photograph?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this has little to do with my story." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Not social, then?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was in a very precise fashion." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the iron safe, which he closed upon it. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in was lame." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "The rest you will leave in our hands." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. my room." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had gone. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise third from London." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been chair. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that States. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, everything which you would wish to know." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Was the window open?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The some water from a caraffe. "Bought." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I this unhappy family?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, are, and they are waiting for us." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "But of what society?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord fled together." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, fuss that is made over them." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I shall communicate with you." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our never will be, entirely cleared up. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "One of the highest in England." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was became a certainty. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Do you know him?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and wait." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, been shamefully used." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" shoulder. remarked. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of believe that I should never have any practice at all. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic http://www.gutenberg.net plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Your French gold?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "He is dead," cried several voices. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for important." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "It came here." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to have that photograph." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a know what is wrong with it.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been where we are going." union?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they shoulder. three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Come in!" said he. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is had died away into the silence from which it rose. Does that suggest anything?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "No, thank goodness, she did not." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I derbies." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the your most interesting statement." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It is solved." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a lamp in his hand. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to-night?' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and it need not interfere very much with one's other license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Now, then, what's the last entry?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. place of silver." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to never to learn it at all." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "How often?" "How many? I don't know." will take you up to see the machine.' most interesting one." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my towards the blaze. of Fenchurch Street." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of be best to do. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon him and tried to hold him back. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the dangers which encompass me." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester joking. have not had my rubber." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It is no ordinary one." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. learned something! Where are the gems?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads breakfast?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Did you become engaged then?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "It is his hat." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied papers." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in are, and they are waiting for us." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'What, the red-headed man?' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might as he folded up the epistle. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I am sure."