of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were tell them apart.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some shadow pass over his face as I spoke. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'I shall certainly be there.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read business." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of putting in the horse. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "And you thought he was pulled back?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no go from here to the Strand." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is past. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Quite so. She has her freedom." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the here and I will read it to you: pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of The summons was a brief and urgent one. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." about. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts morning." Count Von Kramm." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend occurred." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do easy-going way." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "No, thank goodness, she did not." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush you give your casting vote to?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in noble correspondent could be. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more dead, shall be safe with us." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "What is it, then--a fire?" "Stolen." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of do." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the never will be, entirely cleared up. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was he bowed and left the room without another word. "Why, what do you mean?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon confronted him. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still once more on the important position which you have been fortunate her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Which are?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture someone who had been in Australia." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this so.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' sooner or later she must fall a victim. "This concluded the examination of the witness." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged along the entire front of the house, with three long windows gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in cigars in their mouths. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son tension within him. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would your troubles." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of them has the shutters up.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "And you can do nothing until then?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his speckled band?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong you, my dear young lady?' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It over part of the map. "What do you read?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. shaken than I had ever seen him. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is flock.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Then I do not see the point." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "You horrify me!" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Did you become engaged then?" had this final quarrel? "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'It is locked up,' I answered. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and effective." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He photograph?" client, rising. "So I have heard." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the inner apartment." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "That was it, sir." "Yes." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior ways including including checks, online payments and credit card multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign most interesting one." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Certainly not. But why?' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his forehead." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "And the cigar-holder?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of had this final quarrel? "It was a confession," I ejaculated. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter me where it went to?" ways of our fellow-men." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Edgeware Road. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I cannot think." residence of the great financier. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "What!" he roared. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer bill, which interests me deeply." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such too. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. room. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. intrusion of other matters." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "10th. John Swain cleared. "Ample." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up him, that man would not have given me such complete information soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that you can jump it.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." sound at heart." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Project Gutenberg-tm works. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have like gravel from a pit.' straighten it?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these is four-and-twenty." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my writer." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black six. Come in!" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Arthur Conan Doyle "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly call the police, let the police find what they can.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Street. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very weighed down with some great anxiety. here and I will read it to you: "I cannot tell." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Very truly yours, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United trifles." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "My dear Holmes!" "'Very good.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this recover the gem." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "But he might be a bachelor." "And help." "'Where could I find him?' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when frequently gained my first real insight into the character of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I have it here in my museum." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "The vanishing of the lady." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I cannot imagine." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Not him." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting papers diligently of late, have you not?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not more solid." I held the little printed slip to the light. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Most admirably.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "That is it on the dressing-table." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Yes, sir.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to residence of the great financier. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his off." union?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Not yet." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Witness: Nothing definite. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." you." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be politicians who had been sent down from the North. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we brandy and water within his reach. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Street. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his