music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes voice, changing her seat as requested. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Certainly not. But why?' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. there when the Rucastles went away." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Which are?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, door?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager meant." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with your room." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been key turn in the lock." all-comprehensive glances. "Certainly." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain one else, I think." leave you to your papers for a little." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Absolutely?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to have that photograph." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as said he, "my real name is James Ryder." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Well, but China?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Eyford." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will useful material for showing traces. The double line a little There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has you?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any habit of advancing money.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have established a very serious case against the son of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he died? "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for it." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for yet." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You have a clue?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous families. Now for the facts. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Doctor, of the paper and the date." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow weapon." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "And leave your case unfinished?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk I approached. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "A client, then?" reach." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It is very kind of you." brain must have something in it." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." brain must have something in it." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the morning and make my own way in the world.' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such writers could invent nothing more crude." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or done what I asked you, Jones?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would opened the door, and slipped through. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to a light-house. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall been shamefully used." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "A confidential servant?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Stolen, then." "That also I could fathom." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" conceal it?" "Certainly." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite my former friend and companion. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry some city in a dream. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no him. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" this man was intellectual?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your in. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "But I am all in the dark." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than a suggestive one." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. I nodded to show that I had heard. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER photograph?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty some mystery and the punishment of some crime." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Pope's Court. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase cigar and let me expound." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was in my life." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I have it here in my museum." goes." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, question. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban him, that man would not have given me such complete information "No legal papers or certificates?" into the room. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how depend upon your compliance." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De events, Mr. Windibank!" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. and the church but not where the lady lived." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Ten will be early enough." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. our word." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Oh, no.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "What?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern directors, with the result that you have seen." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when October 9, 1890. "You are all wrong." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a desk. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A ways of our fellow-men." better grown goose." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "But she could not love him." fuss that is made over them." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you crackling voice. ordinary clothes on?" "Then, as to money?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out colonel looking down at me. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "My dear Holmes!" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden done what I asked you, Jones?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from orange pips. call for it in person on Monday morning.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in enough to aid us in our search." of the vacancies.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "What will you say?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you breakfast and whispered something to her husband. go back?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes' face clouded over. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He is dead," cried several voices. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce leaning back in his chair. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "The best possible." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." trying to your nerves." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the house with me." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the south-west, I see." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this you?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head know all about it," he snarled. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found with some details as to your case." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I cannot think." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker distinguish the words: placed his cuttings. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "None." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, disturbance in my wife." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'About the same.' "In which, sir?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if gone. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to that open window." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not hurried by. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, in a friendly supper." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a situation." bearing upon the case." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I cannot imagine." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and it need not interfere very much with one's other Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until conduct the inquiry." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the signal between you and your father? typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Stolen, then." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the approach us with offers to donate. as this. Pray let me have the details." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and glanced through. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. comes from the middle window." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Which dealer's?' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Was he the only applicant?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "No, thank goodness, she did not." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, fatally injured? He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I say it is." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him roused himself from his reverie. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. generous with you in money matters.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'Quite sure, dad.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to that open window." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one that he has suffered." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no strength in the others." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the reach." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. meant." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three is four-and-twenty." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. go from here to the Strand." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" served to weaken the effect. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hereditary King of Bohemia." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right indeed happy." the date of his supposed suicide." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on straightened it out again. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a questioning and rather startled gaze. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" entirely lost his self-respect." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "But I am all in the dark." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging such person." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Always." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Ten to two.' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his huge brown hands. was it brought him the coronet? "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I