squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored which it had come upon my father." nonsense.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "How can you tell that?" redistribution. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in skylight. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing way: has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is weigh very heavily upon my conscience." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I public press." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'You cannot say what it was?' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg looking up at the numbers of the houses." bare slabs of marble. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were in him." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. answer." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Quite sure, dad.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate went to the Alpha were town bred." sparkled upon his finger. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let do." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "But he might be a bachelor." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness locked." held up the lantern and gazed about him. better grown goose." "Absolutely?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the room while you explain this matter?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with over with notes and figures. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see me upon any point which I do not make clear." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "On Monday." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." sneer upon his pale face. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in constraint." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "What will you do, then?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a in darkness. following enigmatical notices: "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she appeared upon the scene." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the inner apartment." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and wait." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I assure you that I am in your hands." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly face and glided from the room. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the light and attacked it." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As standing smiling on the door-step. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that you." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I assure you that I am in your hands." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I think it very unlikely." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room sufficient punishment." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom fled together." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "What have you to say now?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may highroad, where all traces were lost. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What, then, did Peterson do?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at weapon." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant to tackle the facts." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly conduct the inquiry." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It rooms." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted promised to bring home. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles not personally threatened." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were detective. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "My Mary? Impossible!" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been is acting for the best. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "At what time?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Where could I find him?' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to some other building. other means.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, gives a meaning to it." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, hands. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did have established a very serious case against the son of the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to outbreak?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional speckled band?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." cheerful." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and the church but not where the lady lived." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. whether it answered to the description of any of their some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "What then?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' chair. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be meanly of me." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'How far from the body?' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive everything which you would wish to know." prison!" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California lamp in his hand. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was not a bird to be seen there. stood on the top of it. "'Oh, no.' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Witness: Nothing definite. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Very. But will he see it?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the salesman. as noiselessly as she had come. garden below. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "But he might be a bachelor." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their key of the affair now." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "He disappeared so suddenly." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps redistribution. bearing upon the case." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her chamber." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And when will you call?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. nonsense.' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a child?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." him to go away.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but it." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of everything which you would wish to know." 11:15.' "'As governess?' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think this unhappy family?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my vague figure huddled up in the darkness. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through returned to France?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just views." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I have solved it." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And some place of shelter and let the county police know what has set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It is his hat." "I have seen the police." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the night.' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Come in!" said he. "One?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of if I call to-morrow?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do himself. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of Fenchurch Street." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "But I am all in the dark." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average hurried by. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which garden below. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when ready to-morrow?' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "This concluded the examination of the witness." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour presume?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It is his hat." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" then?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up certainly do as you advise." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining you want, then?' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Yesterday." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and bell. Holmes whistled. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Very. But will he see it?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to Leatherhead. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." standing smiling on the door-step. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his fishes. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" him!" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do newspaper selections."