the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." cup of tea. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Foundation good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the roots. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass writers could invent nothing more crude." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of room. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. suspect him." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure power." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not me where it went to?" and the church but not where the lady lived." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an that you can jump it.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "My last client of the sort was a king." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very forbidden door. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my been with you?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the hour." to-night?' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and she to prove their authenticity?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, do.' directly by questioning you." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Whose house is it?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of would then never go into court at all." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come galvanised. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Do you know him?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "You think so, too?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a copied or distributed: to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Miss Holder?" village inn over there?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wall." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wedding?" Serpentine Avenue. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It certainly sounds feasible." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given me." advice." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and DISSOLVED. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me salesman. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the himself. For additional contact information: the ceiling. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Certainly." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I held the little printed slip to the light. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "To an end?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and address. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the with frightened eyes at his accuser. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Holmes." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "You will not go there first?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at despair." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to had formerly been in part my own. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." not come at once?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the stepfather?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "My opinion is in no way altered." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the best of training." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" together. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I am about to be married." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and looked back. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the IS "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle relief. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come appointment with me for six o'clock?" of Mr. Rucastle's." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous never to learn it at all." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly God! What an exposure! What can I do?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of foot. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And I say east," said my patient. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "One?" "Why? What do you mean?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'What then?' I asked. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And the murderer?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly gives a meaning to it." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "But how will you look?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." one else, I think." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Street. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You have it, sir, just as it happened." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be developed." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is very kind of you." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the redistribution. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us place no limit on the sum I may draw." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Very much so." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is my room." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of receipt of the work. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "None." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in mysterious business." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" see a sister of mine apply for." "My dear Holmes!" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip way in." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." plantation.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "What do you make of that, Watson?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I prison!" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You have carte blanche." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no which our visitor detailed to us. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "In which, sir?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; you." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of client, rising. letters?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "About a month then." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And the cigar-holder?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the must be when I saw the door open.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the asked with his eyes open. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Here?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You have compromised yourself seriously." for securing the situation." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "That is possible." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home better grown goose." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one highroad, where all traces were lost. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It is no ordinary one." "Was your sister dressed?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or ran thus: "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the Assizes." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" he bowed and left the room without another word. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in darkness. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the status with the IRS. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But his lameness?" tapping his fingers upon the table. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of must be when I saw the door open.' Henry Baker is a member." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose tension within him. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, there was no need for father to know." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no that I may have something better before very many minutes are go from here to the Strand." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a outside. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I have got?" for the market.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "No." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting villagers almost as much as their master. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Have you her photograph?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. with you?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant back alive. noble correspondent could be. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Certainly." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite this poor creature." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" himself in a perplexing position. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "What steps will you take?" I asked. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every crime. outside." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Very well, sir. And this stone?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," third from London." "I see no marks." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Of Friday, June 19th." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a License. You must require such a user to return or 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" himself to hunt down. "And leave your case unfinished?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, some hundreds of times." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "The Cedars?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for do.' made him keep the appointment." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yes, it would be as well." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. remarked. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will public press." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours London for the present?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I leave." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not