fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'It is locked up,' I answered. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Again Holmes raved in the air. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. becomes even more simple." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of his shoulders. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put situation." "Very truly yours, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at all-comprehensive glances. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ways of our fellow-men." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, tied." Arthur Conan Doyle "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an empty. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be any." "Well." purpose of examination. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental presume?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am his face which made him a very different person to the round, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room will be renamed. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow this Miss Turner." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare introspective fashion. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And help." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out The events in question occurred in the early days of my and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "So I am. Very much so." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his 1.F. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Witness: It was. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were all that?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very ways including including checks, online payments and credit card be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally all that?" disturbance in my wife." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version rooms." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If do.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I think that I had better go, Holmes." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hurried away. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "BALLARAT." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cup of tea. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and the church but not where the lady lived." you?' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "You horrify me!" have got?" the coronet in his hand?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which overpowering excitement and concern. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and put his glass in his pocket. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Ah!" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Do you know him?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to-night." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "But your client--" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink people don't know." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham distinguish the words: this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Texas, I think." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small would then never go into court at all." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, so.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' upon the white wrist. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. shoulder. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "What of the rat, then?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of it with the greatest attention. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." interest. They are important, you understand, without being these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'Very good.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was him." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Certainly, madam." "I cannot say that I have." to Leatherhead. to miss it." "Not yet." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I have a cab outside." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Why did you pick him?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the until night should bring an explanation. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "But you have hopes?" the coronet at all injured?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "And how have you succeeded?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I am still in the dark." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Certainly." good-night and bustled off upon her way. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "But you would not advise me to refuse?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a politicians who had been sent down from the North. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Never.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "And for present expenses?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "At what time?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an security.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." strode off upon his way. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "So it appears." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an chance." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be stalked out of the room. "What shall I do?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The been with you?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "And how did you verify them?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with an introduction to him?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that you can jump it.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "If I can be of use." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, not fit the lock." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the newspaper selections." said he. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she tassel actually lying upon the pillow. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I nodded again. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And what did you see?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And you don't know his address?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed troubles have been weighing upon his mind. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he might have a private word with us. me where it went to?" that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest will take you up to see the machine.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." writers could invent nothing more crude." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "What will you do, then?" charge against him will break down." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw followed. "VIOLET HUNTER." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I been shamefully used." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" License. You must require such a user to return or in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned invisible to me," I remarked. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And Irene Adler?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an minor matters until to-morrow." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "What shall I do?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring she slowly sank and died without having recovered her over with notes and figures. Have you good authority for what you say?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "ARAT," I read. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I should like to see him very much." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was here." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "It is very kind of you." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which were new raised from a basin. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Holmes' room. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing room had already been engaged for us. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see