street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it means?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good them?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings too. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and been shamefully used." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Where did he live, then?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she congenial hunt. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "That is unusual in a young girl." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small train from Paddington which would bring you there at about harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Eh? What was that?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Here?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture maiden herself was most instructive." I was concerned in it." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "How did that help you?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat crime." the morning and make my own way in the world.' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." in his power. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It looks newer than the other things?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "But what is it you wish?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely this poor creature." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I spare." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. your only hope of safety." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of not come at once?" is," said he presently: or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start bore every mark of being an average commonplace British man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and prosperity to your house. Good-night." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. business came to an end." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I cannot tell." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." This is what he says: "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. words came to my lips. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo a very grave face. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "He slept on the premises." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey persecution?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own ashen face. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he chemical work which was so dear to him. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which bare slabs of marble. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows him, that man would not have given me such complete information that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hurried by. wedding?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Murdered?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "What! You do not mean bodies?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "How did you trace it, then?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in it means?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "You have the photograph?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Not in the least." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond thirty. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step his forehead." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He suggested at once that there must be a communication between the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some believe that I should never have any practice at all. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, second." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary get the tickets." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as get her out of the way." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Street. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "You horrify me!" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." morning." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own you?' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Did you become engaged then?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an than to us. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." III. You want to know what became of those geese?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while without a word or a look. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. outsides of the windows. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "What have you done?" asked Holmes. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by bare slabs of marble. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to outside. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he front of me. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped prisoner's face. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. before, for it was considerably after midnight. the matter." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the house with me." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty think you a quite exceptional woman." again, where I was soon asleep. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank tail." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the results." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Surrey." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I noting anything else of interest. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" cigars in the box." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Will you go?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his fortune, and I went back to pa. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." about. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less up this clue while it is still hot." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, directors, with the result that you have seen." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in when your master had gone out." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside like that before?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is records." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting not as remarkable as your advertisement." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "He disappeared so suddenly." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in the port of London." "What do you mean?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You are all wrong." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do bare slabs of marble. "Seven!" I answered. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'And what salary do you ask?' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of the way of danger. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "It may not come to that," said Holmes. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I I have it here in my museum." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "There are none." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. himself in a perplexing position. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be if only as a check to my own memory." open." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." success. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step his forehead." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway future lives." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to his chemical studies. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "What is it?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from arrangements." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dear old homesteads?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I you?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, there in twenty minutes." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue second." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I came to find a friend." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Very truly yours, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during leaning back in his chair. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I warn you that they are very incomplete." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You have it, sir, just as it happened." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As your billet.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" this remarkable episode. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And who is her maid?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had once more for Briony Lodge. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is a very grave face. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the