"It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and plantation.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Where to?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, as noiselessly as she had come. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Then you may entirely rely on me." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned most interesting one." was used.' "And why?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible paper in the air. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa be. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the date of his supposed suicide." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, something of him before." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." upon an income of about 60 pounds." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "But you can know nothing of this?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "What is it?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I case before our client came into the room." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And who is her maid?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and your relations to her." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that never came back." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." meant it for the best. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I beg pardon." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project bird I ate is country bred." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It is possible." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows figure." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was your Highness to the police-station?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence have had none more fantastic than this." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What then?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "He is still with you, I presume?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Certainly." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. bearing upon the case." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut along the entire front of the house, with three long windows means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It is true that I have been generally successful." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the murdered man." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "What can it mean?" I gasped. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I cannot tell." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Countess of Morcar's?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should that he will be back before evening." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Nothing." to his chemical studies. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Will you go?" shoulder; "he's all right." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, during that time.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be be there in time for your coming." discontent upon his features. "Certainly." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in darkness. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the driver. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway held up the lantern and gazed about him. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "My stepfather's business papers." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And what did you learn from him?" several quiet little villages up there." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of for securing the situation." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fasten all the windows?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Stolen." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Sholtos." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'No, I know no one in these parts.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." disappearance of these gems?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I am sure." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to certainly do as you advise." too. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I would apply.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and in his hands." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I guessed as much." strode off upon his way. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and glanced through. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Certainly, madam." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the such attractions and accomplishments?' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the stones. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes." discontent upon his features. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming feature." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "A confidential servant?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "The knees of his trousers." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to his chemical studies. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With me. You must get home instantly and act." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa yourselves in at night?" him." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a followed. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and the colonel ushered me in. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and before the coroner and the police-court." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And that is--" digesting their breakfasts at home." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming when you have done it." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Stolen, then." "'What do you call purely nominal?' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and looked back. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have redistribution. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss experiences." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to beyond words. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Only as much as we can deduce." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Eh? What was that?" conduct the inquiry." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use she to prove their authenticity?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Because he was handy and would come cheap." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would threw himself down with his face to the pillow. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Absolutely none." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either seem to you to be relevant or not." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even his face which made him a very different person to the round, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" me have 200 pounds?' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Arthur Conan Doyle fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much photograph?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I would give my fortune to have them back." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Not in a good cause." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, yes, easily." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare said he at last. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I have it here in my museum." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he as noiselessly as she had come. "You have carte blanche." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whether it answered to the description of any of their hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Where did he live, then?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'What are you doing there?' he asked. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gentleman's clothes. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering plantation.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he careless servant girl?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "She will not sell." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to a light-house. "Then what has happened to him?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "What is it, then--a fire?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that until night should bring an explanation. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere see me here to avoid scandal." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are