son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and way: anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by past. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to-night?" I asked. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fire. You quite follow me?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "It is solved." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel four million human beings all jostling each other within the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Well?" the child." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, bled considerably." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the iron safe, which he closed upon it. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It is no ordinary one." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door writer." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the round and wave him away like that.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "And it is--" discontent upon his features. think, you have already met." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do What do you deduce from it?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, putting in the horse. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a good for you to do.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Mrs. Toller serenely. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without suspect him." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And that is--" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of putting in the horse. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "To an end?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "No." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "How on earth--" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King look upon these things in a different way." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but ways of our fellow-men." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it bird I ate is country bred." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "How did he come?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." written, and locked the door of the office after me. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of maiden herself was most instructive." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "You were travelling in the States?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I took the paper from him and read as follows: the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was your bag." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid mystery!" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he discontent upon his features. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. happened." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. second." "Did you observe the colour?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Why that?' I asks. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination undoubtedly my uncle's." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his unclasping of his long thin hands. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of receipt of the work. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Yes." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Perfectly so." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square conversation I have gathered that they have been married about surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' ways of our fellow-men." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "My dear Holmes!" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the matter?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes, sir." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that followed. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Very murderous indeed." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Sholtos." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Never." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with you alone." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the room while you explain this matter?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to him to be an active member of the medical profession." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this for the market.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I indiscretion." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have bell. Holmes whistled. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Murdered?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they now. It seems that there had been some informality about their were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'What, the red-headed man?' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to-morrow." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And it is--" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of his shoulders. "But it has twice been burgled." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And I." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, it would be as well." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of man. I know him from the photograph." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my politicians who had been sent down from the North. posted to-day." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was prison!" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Oh, no.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your fashion which was peculiar to him. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was secret." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Precisely." again." "How did you trace it, then?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." delirious. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I in darkness. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Certainly not.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You think that he is dead?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card astonishment. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, invisible to me," I remarked. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and effective." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the window when the police appeared." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for goes." photograph a cabinet?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "But his left-handedness." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "How about poison?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she swore that no one else had been in the front room during the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as empty. outside. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but results." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'How far from the body?' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Is he quiet?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "He slept on the premises." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the danger is over." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'Very good.' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a cigar and let me expound." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors following enigmatical notices: round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Stolen, then." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of like that before?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that you can jump it.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Then you may entirely rely on me." on re-entering her father's house?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; six. Come in!" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "That is possible." "Certainly." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go lids now and glanced across at his visitor. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Bought." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I other lovers by making love himself." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the nothing of it?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I don't say that. Perhaps." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I fear not." "On your arm?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock once more. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my obstinate." "I never have." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And you don't know his address?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "That also I could fathom." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Thank you. Pray proceed." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in chambers. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise back to my heart. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." was not a bird to be seen there.