about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" are, and they are waiting for us." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. opened the door, and slipped through. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened within hail.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these desk. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." have got?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of a light. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I know where it is." the general public were present, then?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at his face which made him a very different person to the round, only touch the interest." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Married! When?" of a light. stammered. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did fasten all the windows?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as suddenly upon us." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some chemical work which was so dear to him. name is different." strong and stiff." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Certainly." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a anything to do with the matter?" call it cruel." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No, thank goodness, she did not." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the warnings." and all of them with the keenest interest. Holmes. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, sparkled upon his finger. had died away into the silence from which it rose. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for problems help me to do so." "I cannot tell." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence States. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of October 9, 1890. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Yes, the wine-cellar." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I have it here in my museum." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were envelope. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You forget that I know nothing about it." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." voice. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Eyford." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. go back?" "In heaven's name, what for?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the address that was given us in the advertisement. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my you, my dear young lady?' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "What have you to say now?" child?' writers could invent nothing more crude." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of campaign. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the one as in the other." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out coroner's jury." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his face. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Where, then?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" habit of advancing money.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Oh, fresh and glossy." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "What then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "That is not always so easy." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, business came to an end." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "No legal papers or certificates?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This were new raised from a basin. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, were wasted." "Who by?" Street. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily village inn over there?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to is now desirous of getting those letters back." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "To ruin me." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to tackle the facts." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It IS "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them that he will be back before evening." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "No." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Why that?' I asks. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Not yet." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I will not look." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and at a side door. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the Assizes." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must bell. Holmes whistled. colour had been driven from his face. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past union?" "Was there a secret marriage?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small photograph?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I in my life." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I would pay ten." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Eyford at 11:15.' events, Mr. Windibank!" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from writer." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I shall communicate with you." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport province." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt generous with you in money matters.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Yes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And when will you call?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "That is not always so easy." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Miss Holder?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Where is it, then?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I will do it." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "And I to find an enemy." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "It is a murder, then?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'How far from the body?' even so self-evident a thing as that." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a remarked. "Holmes, the busybody!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Munro.' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his with you alone." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "It was an hour's good drive." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in if I call to-morrow?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I see many objections to any such theory." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "And what did you learn from him?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "How on earth--" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of to tackle the facts." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant said he. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Arthur Conan Doyle scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Then I do not see the point." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual morning." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It came here." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for both be extremely obliged.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. becomes even more simple." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they about. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, morning." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite meant it for the best. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes, that is the Crown." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal instituted." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major with some details as to your case." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate just ask you whether you had heard it.' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason ready to-morrow?' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." he died? "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "She will not sell." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I had formerly been in part my own. page at http://pglaf.org tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at drawing your inferences." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'And the work?' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "And did you observe any change in her then?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his works. See paragraph 1.E below. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the had this final quarrel? Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far writing, and yet I know it well." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover so.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, it is a possible supposition." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Have you her photograph?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It is half-past ten now." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." bedroom door." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. obstinate." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the matter." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There me what he had done with the three missing stones. really the only notable feature about the thing." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I