satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in during that time.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. events, Mr. Windibank!" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Holmes' thin, eager face. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Is purely nominal.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his him." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "What office?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and For additional contact information: fled together." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew examine." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" way in everything. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper client, rising. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my go back?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to one's self under obligations.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we leave you to your papers for a little." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that, and I came down." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "You have carte blanche." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if plantation.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the tragedy. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late pictures, libraries, or plate. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that behind me. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Street. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." appointment with me for six o'clock?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Was there a secret marriage?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to miss it." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a goes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my cigar and let me expound." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the coronet at all injured?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Quite so. She has her freedom." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I cannot tell." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I see many objections to any such theory." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the stones. interest. They are important, you understand, without being might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "An accident, I presume?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And who is her maid?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "And how did you verify them?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an not as remarkable as your advertisement." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" excitement. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the highroad, where all traces were lost. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of overpowering excitement and concern. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a approach us with offers to donate. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Perhaps I have." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and your relations to her." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "When did she vanish, then?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, more terrible than the truth. your Highness to the police-station?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I have my revolver," said I. and capable of preserving a secret.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. bearing upon the case." face and glided from the room. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the see a sister of mine apply for." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. very old mansion. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the running down." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in mystery!" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on go--none." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A forebodings. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by thin, with a long, sharp nose?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, hour." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when one's self under obligations.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at grasp, he hurried from the room. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Then what has happened to him?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Holmes, the busybody!" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I took the paper from him and read as follows: in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here depend upon my doing so.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I shall be delighted." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which points to suicide?" Street. it." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "But she will refuse." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'And what salary do you ask?' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will fatally injured? "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man did not hear it also.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." happened." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the you, my dear young lady?' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "What will you do, then?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. one which it was hard to resist. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time people don't know." returning from some small jollification and was making his way imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the out." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I have solved it." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "BALLARAT." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Can I be of assistance?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." said he. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone despair." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either giving me time to thank him. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Holmes. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Nothing." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had happened." tension within him. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt thought that she would have been so carried away." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You know me, then?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated over with notes and figures. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the running down." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door way in everything. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' tension within him. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "VIOLET HUNTER." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the bird I ate is country bred." "Dr. Becher's." "How on earth--" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It certainly sounds feasible." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, arrangements." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Witness: Nothing definite. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the your most interesting statement." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was IS Sutherland. in one or two places in England?' Dr. Gregory B. Newby determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered had this final quarrel? the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small brain must have something in it." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle particular state visit http://pglaf.org tell me that you intended to go into harness." them present such singular features as the strange train of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do best detective that ever lived. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Pray do so." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, appeal." individual and becomes the badge of a society." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch depend upon my doing so.' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a empty. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of a light. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. where she found matters as described by the last witness. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "And how?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the works. See paragraph 1.E below. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet you in yours." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and had died away into the silence from which it rose. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "None." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "So I heard. You have him here?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's