endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "What of the rat, then?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from before the coroner and the police-court." "I will, Miss Turner." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a it were putty." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' detained." I am not easy in my mind about them." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the dangers which encompass me." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. never to learn it at all." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "None." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" just called myself is not exactly my own." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time you." good for you to do.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to you." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment American. Then who could this American be, and why should he examination of the premises, but without finding anything which real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "What office?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the had picked up in the wood. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. matter." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an you?' "I don't believe it." touch that coronet?' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some October 9, 1890. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Did your wife hear all this?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the and the whole place is in a blaze." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable money should be paid at once.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I say that I have solved it." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis really the only notable feature about the thing." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "No sign of it?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are correct than the official force." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Eh? What was that?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Why that?' I asks. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh, yes, easily." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." corner of the building. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers wall." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should intrusion of other matters." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. not personally threatened." touch that coronet?' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? them present such singular features as the strange train of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Not in a good cause." generous with you in money matters.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the wall." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: careless servant girl?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day purpose of examination. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the morning and make my own way in the world.' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as been deceived." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Entirely.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "My last client of the sort was a king." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, envelope. disturbance in my wife." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sofa. This way, please!" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was papers must be those that are destroyed.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I cannot imagine." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, never will be, entirely cleared up. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I am armed." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." electronic works following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts national property. I was determined that the law should have its "What are they?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I say that I have solved it." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered questioning and rather startled gaze. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him sooner or later she must fall a victim. I nodded again. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You have a clue?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Why, what do you mean?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her place no limit on the sum I may draw." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Miss Holder?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had pound a week." "It is no ordinary one." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'I have already given you my word.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "He might." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Of Friday, June 19th." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Very good.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The gentleman I describe." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Mrs. Toller serenely. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "And it is--" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the stable lane now." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "But not more so than I to find you." case before our client came into the room." was already answered. strength in the others." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Do you know him?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' may have an influence upon European history." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe had a long day." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Not particularly." "Not particularly." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Does that suggest anything?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe papers must be those that are destroyed.' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was his eyes and forehead. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "What then?" awaited us upon the table. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this again, where I was soon asleep. Sutherland. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey companion imperturbably. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little you." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his even of instruction." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the you, my dear young lady?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that, and I came down." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Stolen, then." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Yes." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Where is it, then?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So him!" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No, but the enclosure is." acted in my house last night?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, was keenly on my guard against him. "'Quite sure, dad.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Where, then?" to that open window." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" all that?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And leave your case unfinished?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the jewels which you have stolen?' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front intrusion of other matters." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of bonnet, and went out." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Pray do so." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never