cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing sparkled upon his finger. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Certainly,' I answered. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the King without delay." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes, from Horsham." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the him nearly every evening." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "He might." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Not particularly." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am them, and came down just as you departed. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Nearly eleven." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Quite so." "I came to find a friend." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout of your young ladies.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "You think so, too?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Lestrade of Scotland Yard." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "To an English lawyer named Norton." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt this man was intellectual?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "That is not always so easy." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. wanted for ourselves." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the what is your own theory as to what took place?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey any little problem which you may submit to me." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming house for five minutes.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "How often?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally constraint." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and at my remark. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular that I may have something better before very many minutes are significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It was." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll questioning and rather startled gaze. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his was lame." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the only touch the interest." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I foot. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, certainly." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No, I had a dozen." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so all?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to with the outside air!" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late advice." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ways of our fellow-men." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public will be renamed. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "And you don't know his address?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had yourselves in at night?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic own family. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It forehead. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." think, you have already met." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "What will you do, then?" the house with me." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I would pay ten." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I ago." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning over with notes and figures. in the hope of finding them." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give this man was intellectual?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden married her." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I see many objections to any such theory." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The breakfast." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the asked with his eyes open. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. learned something! Where are the gems?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "It was an hour's good drive." "Well." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Did your wife hear all this?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of correct than the official force." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "And how in the world did you find them?" next day. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A she used." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The best possible." fait accompli?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "He is still with you, I presume?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. quickly through a disagreeable task. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as she used." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in call it cruel." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and roused himself from his reverie. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I fear not." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I leave." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you green of the new foliage. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in darkness. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "About a month then." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' there when the Rucastles went away." it right.' in a very precise fashion." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I was afraid that you were engaged." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll could go. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you definite end. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "When did it break out?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "No legal papers or certificates?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "What office?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." noting anything else of interest. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and matter over." "To an end?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which are rolled in Rotterdam." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "What is it?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness new acquaintance to Baker Street. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "He might." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I am to be neutral?" might help us?" "One?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of washing it down with a long draught of water. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of nice household for a young lady." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Have you it here?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in The events in question occurred in the early days of my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." presented more singular features than that which was associated "Did you become engaged then?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, chill to my heart. believe that I should never have any practice at all. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "And your mother is alive?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me passage and a tap at the door. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and approach us with offers to donate. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Eyford." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Where could I find him?' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like despair." Watson," he said cordially. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** people in all walks of life. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his such person." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations too. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you learned something! Where are the gems?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Here?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. you." ago." nothing of it?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that brandy and water within his reach. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church fled together." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had past. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "And who is her maid?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." goes." him!" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I to a more successful conclusion." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "And on what day did he meet his death?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us