mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, read it out to me." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Certainly not. But why?' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and is a common subject for conversation. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Holmes, the busybody!" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I here." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether chambers. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I think it very unlikely." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No." "What will you do, then?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little done what I asked you, Jones?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a papers must be those that are destroyed.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. chamber." leaning back in his chair. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of money should be paid at once.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "But the mystery?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the upon the shelf for the interim." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the your billet.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you might have a private word with us. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "We must sit without light. He would see it through the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "My stepfather's business papers." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It is very clear." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I held the little printed slip to the light. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the held up the lantern and gazed about him. asked with his eyes open. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' pressing in one house as in another. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. with her." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings which should have the effect of calling the attention of the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Dirty?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms did not hear it also.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for answer." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fact, we may call it conclusive." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Very murderous indeed." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue or in danger--" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered tension within him. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just it means?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Ha! you find it so?" off." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It missed him, then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of them has the shutters up.' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "In which, sir?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "The knees of his trousers." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate answer." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." conduct the inquiry." "Then what has happened to him?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than nonsense.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "If so, much may have happened between." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "No good news?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of it with the greatest attention. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the have been better. It is all right." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "But it has twice been burgled." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes, I have one waiting." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of that there was nothing in it, after all." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I will get her to show me." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Henry Baker is a member." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried ran thus: Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "And your father? Did you tell him?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is points in connection with it which never have been, and probably been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I promise," said Holmes. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "By train from Waterloo." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." call it cruel." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always suspect him." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. to Leatherhead. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "The knees of his trousers." "But what is it you wish?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I think that I could be of assistance to you." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive anything to do with the matter?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared definite end. "Then you may entirely rely on me." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that good for you to do.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "What!" he roared. "None." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'And what salary do you ask?' tell him that I know him to be innocent." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the The events in question occurred in the early days of my devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle My friend smiled. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Holmes' room. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their locked. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Ten to two.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get ill-usage at the hands of fortune. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize crime." "So I am. Very much so." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. up this clue while it is still hot." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "What will you do, then?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. this man was intellectual?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I will, Miss Turner." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had families. Now for the facts. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that through." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered IS Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary remarked. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged grasp, he hurried from the room. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "So I have heard." any little problem which you may submit to me." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance more terrible than the truth. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the indiscretion." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Here?" "Which are?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his mystery." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn meant." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but envelope. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, had picked up in the wood. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, will not take me long to tell. was shining brightly. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "By all means." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight purpose of examination. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to surprise her." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming him!" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those might help us?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were in. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "BALLARAT." "Deserted you?" "I will, Miss Turner." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are introspective fashion. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'As governess?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I was mad--insane." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when look upon these things in a different way." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my breakfast." him and tried to hold him back. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'As governess?' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Just look it up, then." this Miss Turner." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The despaired of."