direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "But his left-handedness." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work might have a private word with us. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" yourselves in at night?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "What are they?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I see many objections to any such theory." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Very murderous indeed." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, address. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "What, then?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And what did you learn from him?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Will you bet, then?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped strength of mind to control. noble correspondent could be. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "A call for help, you thought?" "Certainly." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman vault. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "It's nothing of the kind." "Yes, he did." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'Then let me do so?' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the coroner come to?" "It is solved." appeared upon the scene." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Texas, I think." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the running down." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the business?" them present such singular features as the strange train of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, neither fascinating nor artistic." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No, finished." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed me what he had done with the three missing stones. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and this poor creature." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a During two years I have had three consultations and one small window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and your billet.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his fortune, and I went back to pa. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more pictures, libraries, or plate. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, http://gutenberg.net/license). begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we manager. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. developed." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' read over the extraordinary announcement. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters For additional contact information: along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "How are you getting on?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Henry Baker is a member." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "To an English lawyer named Norton." hard-headed British jury." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." exactly what you advise." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that in a very precise fashion." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "And what then?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had do.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "No good news?" your only hope of safety." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." touch that coronet?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "So it appears." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" this unhappy family?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the a good hundred miles off by now." detained." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts upon the sideboard." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." that?' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to change my dress. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been my secret was safe in his possession. "You know me, then?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor hands. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'I shall certainly be there.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the Assizes." eat it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Well." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of this gang." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You have the photograph?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see with some details as to your case." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who said Mr. Holder. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his weigh very heavily upon my conscience." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the whatever might befall. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, one which it was hard to resist. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. away into the river." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "She walked into the breakfast-room." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." people don't know." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "My Mary? Impossible!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the ago." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with crime." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. appeal." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And your mother is alive?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "That's no good." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his empty. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Her father is very rich?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the are, I think, all that we need." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "And why?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It is very clear." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face one of the states of the Union." the tragedy. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which it had come upon my father." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Absolutely?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; you, my dear young lady?' existence." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, companion imperturbably. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "No." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You saw the ventilator, too?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No, but the enclosure is." quick march!" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "No legal papers or certificates?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The events in question occurred in the early days of my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "On your arm?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Did your wife hear all this?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Nothing." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" outside. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Have you it here?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He points to suicide?" "I shall be delighted." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "But what is it you wish?" prison!" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of maiden herself was most instructive." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but,