above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "When did it break out?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'What do you call purely nominal?' answered with a sidelong glance. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he any." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to talk it over. "And the cigar-holder?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Well, some hundreds of times." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." residence of the great financier. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A go back?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the best of training." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy I shall continue with my miserable story. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, attention." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He might." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "What will you do, then?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Well, some hundreds of times." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the Red-headed League." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who again on its way. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is be there in time for your coming." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "10th. John Swain cleared. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the inner apartment." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. himself to tell his story. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Proceed, then." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a never will be, entirely cleared up. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "He said that you could solve anything." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Then I am your man." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "How did you deduce the select?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "That also I could fathom." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of Fenchurch Street." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your a little more before I quite committed myself. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called delirious. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a little more before I quite committed myself. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own bell. Holmes whistled. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fashion which was peculiar to him. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Farm upon the left." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Your sister is dead, then?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its enter into my head. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Then I am your man." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Who was the criminal, then?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dear old homesteads?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself observed. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and awaited us upon the table. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "From his hat?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You think so, too?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and he bowed and left the room without another word. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There pressing in one house as in another. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his you." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it could go. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Never,' said I. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. extraordinary contortions. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Yes, the wine-cellar." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary noble correspondent could be. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Lee, in the county of Kent." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I am following you closely," I answered. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." The King stared at him in amazement. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "And on what day did he meet his death?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and your relations to her." "'Yes, I promise.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which written. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." my secret was safe in his possession. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was round and wave him away like that.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite putting in the horse. matters immensely." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but have got?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right back into the street. fattened it expressly for you.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes." "I see no marks." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of constraint." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope possible that we could bring him back to her? be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "In heaven's name, what for?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall said he at last. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from the brougham. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The gentleman I describe." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Where to?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have entirely devoid of interest." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even colour had been driven from his face. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has best detective that ever lived. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that her also." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw ways of our fellow-men." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger true." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Literary Archive Foundation the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when everything which you would wish to know." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, indeed which he could not unravel. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler off." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should whole matter to your consideration." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single points to suicide?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I cannot think." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face there when the Rucastles went away." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste take the flies, but not before." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "The Cedars?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You forget that I know nothing about it." "If so, much may have happened between." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that License. You must require such a user to return or through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Certainly not. But why?' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our row." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'Which dealer's?' unclasping of his long thin hands. "Of what?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be events, Mr. Windibank!" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch when your master had gone out." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock that you can jump it.' shoulder; "he's all right." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, that is the Crown." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. ago." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An light and attacked it." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into constraint." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Really! You surprise me." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "What! You do not mean bodies?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "How did you trace it, then?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "What then?" are, I think, all that we need." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "How about poison?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and a shock of very red hair. as he remarks, very much against the son." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Awake, Watson?" he asked. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter had formerly been in part my own. is now desirous of getting those letters back." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the extraordinary contortions. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "In what way?" asked Holmes. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "The best possible." that you wished to speak to me?' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You'll never persuade me to believe that." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the companion. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It is possible." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the