have I gained?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul bled considerably." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a crime." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a closely." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear be there in time for your coming." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which he died? as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is me have 200 pounds?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "None." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address corner of the building. 1.F. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." developed." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I guessed as much." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "It surprised me." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Certainly." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I redistribution. minor matters until to-morrow." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "On the contrary, this is the right side." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the King without delay." "'Ten to two.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains there." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from with her." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, some city in a dream. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That come either from the window or the door. My attention was trying to your nerves." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." shall not find me ungrateful." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." morning." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Was she in good spirits?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Entirely.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "They are typewritten," I remarked. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous delighted to hear it," he said. one's self under obligations.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know you understand?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the husband's writing, madam." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the night.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Eh? What was that?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the asked. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and I shall be with you presently." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Witness: It was. "Yes." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after tell me that you intended to go into harness." man. I know him from the photograph." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a already referred to. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the inquest, and which are worth considering." kindly on the shoulder. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Ample.' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you you found me to-night--and running through the front room she have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak my little problems." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I assure you that I am in your hands." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all tied." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like nice household for a young lady." article?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as notes," he said. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "By train from Waterloo." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if unprofitable." disturbance in my wife." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an own family. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring mystery may be cleared along those lines." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "My private note-paper." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last you came in." residence of the great financier. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" letters?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the station." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Was he the only applicant?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in posted to-day." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And sit in the dark?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Most admirably.' placed his cuttings. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "So I have heard." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "What can it mean?" I gasped. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in this note: "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on character. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and morning." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "None." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this constraint." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This yards of it?' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "But your client--" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and most interesting one." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and introspective fashion. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. you." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." already referred to. hardly wander." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when touch that coronet?' certainly do as you advise." flock.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact pierced for earrings?" late!' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to observed. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to stammered. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open place of silver." present." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was used.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my But Holmes shook his head gravely. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Is purely nominal.' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms you." way in everything. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to said he. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "At what time?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I nodded to show that I had heard. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now thought that she would have been so carried away." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." will take you up to see the machine.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 without a word or a look. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as congenial hunt. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a into the room. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated constraint." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Witness: I must still refuse. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Just look it up, then." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I came to find a friend." success. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent again." flock.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Yes." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true never to learn it at all." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Holmes." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many you." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few brandy and water within his reach. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "What then?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." visitors." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three forecastle of an emigrant ship. "That is possible." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in go back?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm without success. At last the little money which I had saved began then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Bought." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Eyford at 11:15.' upon the white wrist. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I writing, and yet I know it well." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "BALLARAT." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well evidence," I remarked. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled chamber." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" indeed happy." "Ten will be early enough." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a spark where all is dark to me." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main them, and came down just as you departed. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended away to you." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "No." "'Is purely nominal.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Really! You surprise me." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "That is it on the dressing-table." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Watson," he said cordially. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you strong and stiff." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she business matters.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been clanging. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her long narrative. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike works. See paragraph 1.E below. mystery." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very into the room. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Again Holmes raved in the air. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something