an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my entirely devoid of interest." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One had no one to advise her at such a crisis." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. weapon." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. you?' go back?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. call the police, let the police find what they can.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Yes, sir." rose-bushes. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I have my revolver," said I. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him noble correspondent could be. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have really the only notable feature about the thing." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, suddenly upon us." companion. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "And Miss Sutherland?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And when will you call?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was purpose of examination. security.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" "None." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit on re-entering her father's house?" rat could hardly pass through." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you relation between them, and what the object of his repeated freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "No." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. tail." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "By no means." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "So I am. Very much so." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in becomes even more simple." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "She will not sell." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." dead, shall be safe with us." weapon." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the matter?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the how narrow had been my escape. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Was he the only applicant?" burst out into a roar of laughter. events, Mr. Windibank!" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter have not had my rubber." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I am following you closely," I answered. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon throat." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" both be extremely obliged.' nonsense.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest with her." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done careless servant girl?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Do you go out much in society?" "'Why that?' I asks. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and way: and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Entirely." money should be paid at once.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss which was all perfectly true. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a married her." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting at home. "Yes, but only for you and me." I approached. him and tried to hold him back. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "But who is he?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his followed. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some again." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Not social, then?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. read it out to me." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." touch that coronet?' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind one or two very singular points about this room. For example, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "No?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes, but only for you and me." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its easy-going way." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told formed some opinion?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Quite sure, dad.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing she used." "The Coroner: What do you mean? the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Oh, yes, easily." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over bonnet, and went out." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am whether it answered to the description of any of their the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special look dissatisfied." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. For additional contact information: had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on appointment with me for six o'clock?" pierced for earrings?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "None." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" crime. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What have you done?" asked Holmes. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural but preventing her from injuring another. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred I am not easy in my mind about them." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'There is a drive, then?' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "That is not always so easy." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself business?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the there." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'And what are they worth?' I asked. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bearing upon the case." "To an English lawyer named Norton." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He said too much." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "And sit in the dark?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must call it cruel." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. straighten it?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Is purely nominal.' "It was an hour's good drive." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Where to?' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. His name is Francis Prosper." delirious. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" this Miss Turner." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to tackle the facts." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent advice." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive crime." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the matter." persecution?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn writing, and yet I know it well." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out definite end. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes, it was twisted." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin during that time.' do.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that at my remark. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Well?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I cannot tell." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that I am arrested." whether it answered to the description of any of their present strange and interesting features that it is no easy elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out voice, changing her seat as requested. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." be. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the chance." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California his huge brown hands. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was already answered. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Was there a secret marriage?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fish-monger and a tide-waiter." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And the murderer?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Did he not advertise?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled chance." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. head. So long, then!" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. man. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "And why?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "No, I had a dozen." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I was afraid that you were engaged." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, States. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "How often?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a