to talk it over. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Yes.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And I." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Well, some hundreds of times." man. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. at my own good fortune. "And what did you see?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but weary and pale-looking. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the know all about it," he snarled. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his peculiar to him. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Very good.' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg meanly of me." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Game for a morning drive?" Farm upon the left." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. papers on the sundial.'" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed points to suicide?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so I shall communicate with you." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fuss that is made over them." "And Miss Sutherland?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest memory. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to that open window." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" your room." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, conclusions. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Imitated." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but you want, then?' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our to me. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "On the contrary, this is the right side." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be what these perils are?" matter." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary we went to search for him, face downward in a little said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all that?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "How often?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "No bad?" "One of his hands." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and the church but not where the lady lived." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a written, and locked the door of the office after me. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "In the cells." "What, then?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of drove away. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself despaired of." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." if only as a check to my own memory." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Quite sure, dad.' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up towards the blaze. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I ordinary clothes on?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which second window is the one that I jumped from." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." you." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger his knees, staring into the fire. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. digesting their breakfasts at home." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what whatever might befall. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What is it, then--a fire?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I shall most certainly do so." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, yes, easily." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head redistribution. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I shall most certainly do so." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." strength in the others." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I answered that I had not. directly by questioning you." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so III. "My own seal." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set been." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "But we can't all be." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'I shall certainly be there.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his he died? place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Quite so." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at paper in the air. confronted him. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to looking up at the numbers of the houses." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "None. Neville wrote those words." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or bed dies. Does not that strike you?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I have got?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any my little problems." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes, I have one waiting." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Serpentine Avenue. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella time." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and open." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one at home. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for lamp in his hand. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Where, then?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "How did that help you?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I this as likely?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' paper in the air. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Never." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Never,' said I. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your this unhappy family?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend meant it for the best. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a disappearance of the bride.'" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late security.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "10th. John Swain cleared. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Yes." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Oh, the cause is excellent!" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Yes, it was gone.' "No, distinctly professional." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though chemical work which was so dear to him. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and I shall be with you presently." records." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name as he folded up the epistle. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" if only as a check to my own memory." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" crowd. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "And I." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." helping a boy to put up the shutters. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and remarked. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found shaken than I had ever seen him. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "None." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pierced for earrings?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, figure." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Get out!" said he. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "No, but the enclosure is." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Entirely.' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the warnings." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is infinite languor in his face. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You heard nothing yourself last night?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "But she will refuse." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling of fine shops and stately business premises that they really this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It looks newer than the other things?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the vault. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have me. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "But his left-handedness." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "At the wedding breakfast." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should at home. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. writer." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the definite end. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It must be recovered." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Yes." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You horrify me!" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Dark enough and sinister enough." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Indeed! Whose, then?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the loss of it. him. I shall communicate with you." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "An enemy?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must not within a twentieth part of the market price." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until go--none." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Thank you. Pray proceed." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock are, and they are waiting for us." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out