extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was morning." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm correct than the official force." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Won't it ring?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "My private note-paper." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "On Monday." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than someone who had been in Australia." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and purpose equally well?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "What then?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be colonel looking down at me. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the inquest, and which are worth considering." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried to Leatherhead. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I held the little printed slip to the light. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the matter?" business." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You think so, too?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such way in." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "None." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "But to whom?" crowd. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the late." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But she will refuse." you." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are call you and give you the chance." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have joking. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "His face fell immediately. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Gutenberg-tm License. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the Red-headed League." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes' thin, eager face. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Where could I find him?' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the ceiling. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had morning." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "May I see it?" "He said that you could solve anything." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he will he say when he returns?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still heavy and sharp instrument." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he straightened it out again. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by so far?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I have it here in my museum." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It is possible." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the more solid." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, miles off. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Then I can wait in the next room." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "There is the writing." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Yes, from Horsham." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "What! Had he lost his wife?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Do you go out much in society?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "ARAT," I read. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a ready to-morrow?' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Precisely so. But how--" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'No, I know no one in these parts.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. again, where I was soon asleep. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of presented more singular features than that which was associated seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same back to my heart. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors time." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. carpenter." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and laid it on the table. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what kind enough to tell me what I should do." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "And I say east," said my patient. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "She walked into the breakfast-room." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the companion quietly. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I fear not." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Perhaps I have." this as likely?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And now?" I asked. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If recall any case within my experience which looked at the first habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And why in hopes?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a individual and becomes the badge of a society." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE weighed down with some great anxiety. detective. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "They are typewritten," I remarked. neither fascinating nor artistic." locked." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until unprofitable." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at three fields round his house, and there he would take his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of awkward doing business with an alias." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes, but only for you and me." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she not personally threatened." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing drawing your inferences." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Bought." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and have this put in the evening papers." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a upon an income of about 60 pounds." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Why serious?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and glanced through. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and public press." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can keep the flames under. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an redistribution. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what deduce something from that?" "'Yes, it was gone.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa extraordinary contortions. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sutherland?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the south, for the country is more deserted there." official police." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Bought." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there been lifted and conveyed somewhere." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The decline of his fortunes, then?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something desk. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair I approached. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Surrey." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "An accident, I presume?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in darkness. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I business in the City. She little knew what. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, see a sister of mine apply for." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the again on its way. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater becomes even more simple." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But fuss that is made over them." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, followed. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he who was a member of your goose club." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "What have you to say now?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "It is half-past ten now." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'And what are they worth?' I asked. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "That is not always so easy." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, fluttered off among the others. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some allusion to a rat. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "At the wedding breakfast." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "When did she vanish, then?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin call for protection in the marriage market, for the present forebodings. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It