were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "An accident, I presume?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given ceremony." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "How many? I don't know." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark would then never go into court at all." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It missed him, then?" for securing the situation." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Certainly, madam." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Then you may be so with me." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room writing, and yet I know it well." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly papers must be those that are destroyed.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Watson," he said cordially. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Perhaps we may make them less so." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Precisely." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Witness: It was. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as quickly through a disagreeable task. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is like gravel from a pit.' and effective." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the noting anything else of interest. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of from you?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Have you good authority for what you say?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, my room." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It missed him, then?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "What!" he roared. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "No." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the window, rose as we entered. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, away into the river." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There your troubles." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the affair. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me there is a decided draught." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the constraint." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where clang of the bell. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Texas, I think." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Do you know him?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Well, some hundreds of times." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and if she died from some sudden fright." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late both be extremely obliged.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of outbreak?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Very. But will he see it?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Where did you address your letters, then?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Absolutely none." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "You have carte blanche." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "A confidential servant?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with me where it went to?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful front of me. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that affair. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was troubles have been weighing upon his mind. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "In answer to an advertisement." other lovers by making love himself." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have article?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with for securing the situation." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which was all perfectly true. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "How did he come?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My invisible to me," I remarked. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year strength in the others." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and no precautions can guard against." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I say it is." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying your sleep?' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "What?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" rooms." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and o'clock is it?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Not particularly." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. gigantic client. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable affection." back to my heart. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "But what will you do?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'And the work?' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I promise," said Holmes. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" it." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Was he the only applicant?" "He disappeared so suddenly." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, than was visible to me." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it might have a private word with us. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him be there in time for your coming." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but paper in the air. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission ran thus: why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he might have a private word with us. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Why serious?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Yes, he did." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Did your wife hear all this?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation could gather together that I was able to avert another public stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. could go. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. be. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Pope's Court. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You will not go there first?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, me. You must get home instantly and act." "That you are never beaten." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "How did he come?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his were new raised from a basin. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about gone. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" plantation.' strong and stiff." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this becomes even more simple." "But what will you do?" "No." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now if she died from some sudden fright." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "And how did you find out?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Very well, sir. And this stone?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Arthur Conan Doyle his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. away into the river." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my hair?' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the union?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But noting anything else of interest. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is people in all walks of life. "What will you do, then?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." strong and stiff." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. straightened it out again. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, crime. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of them has the shutters up.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And from a noble client?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that tightly behind him. locked. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as kindly on the shoulder. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Why? What do you mean?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the read it out to me." weary and pale-looking. matter." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and roused himself from his reverie. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can without a word or a look. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "What! Had he lost his wife?" leaning back in his chair. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that outsides of the windows. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the like that before?" occupations.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and that he would see to anything that turned up. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back becomes even more simple." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Why did you pick him?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Could he throw no light?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to go into your room and bar your shutters?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to-night?' "She walked into the breakfast-room." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee