quite distinctive." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working unkempt, staring out at me. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in darkness. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the devil!" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded lids now and glanced across at his visitor. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his it." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of your young ladies.' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about will he say when he returns?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "May I see it?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "But his lameness?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Then I shall certainly come." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" showing my impatience. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no corner of the building. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'I have heard so.' off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hair?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat you understand?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the coronet in his hand?" fattened it expressly for you.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'What, the red-headed man?' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Yes. He waved his hands." o'clock is it?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he lids now and glanced across at his visitor. an introduction to him?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be know that the truth is known." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for For additional contact information: down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I am sure." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Texas, I think." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to this Miss Turner." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to take care of herself." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that he will be back before evening." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each are windows in it, of course?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a with some details as to your case." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have had this final quarrel? "Why? What do you mean?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them spark where all is dark to me." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, know what is wrong with it.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. quite distinctive." how narrow had been my escape. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What office?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. daring than any effort of the imagination." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you that you can jump it.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It surprised me." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Which are?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging not as remarkable as your advertisement." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will depend upon my doing so.' overpowering excitement and concern. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "And Miss Sutherland?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case you give your casting vote to?" fuss that is made over them." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me them, and came down just as you departed. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a observed. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage three fields round his house, and there he would take his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And leave your case unfinished?" "My dear Holmes!" "Well, it is a possible supposition." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be woman." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was everything which you would wish to know." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Young McCarthy must be got off, however." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "What! a murderous attack?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no with some details as to your case." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a is," said he presently: undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no both be extremely obliged.' may have an influence upon European history." "And what did you learn from him?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "You think that he is dead?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon were new raised from a basin. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." skylight. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a direction." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions man. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in London for the present?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the devil!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Arthur Conan Doyle the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." plantation.' "But she will refuse." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge during the last few years, and there are many noble families to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" voice, changing her seat as requested. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." more solid." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Quite so." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Does that suggest anything?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his face. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. himself to tell his story. "Not social, then?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'I am sure if I had known--' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with side. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that existence." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed observed. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "What of the rat, then?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Why, what do you mean?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a already referred to. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. him to go away.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I am armed." done what I asked you, Jones?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so your troubles." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some acted in my house last night?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which as yours." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very results." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "BALLARAT." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so power." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Whose house is it?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to depend upon my doing so.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to bonnet, and went out." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, situation." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two I am not easy in my mind about them." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it weigh very heavily upon my conscience." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his legal crime." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of guilty one." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "By all means." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the station." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "What do you make of that, Watson?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I tell him that I know him to be innocent." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that sofa. This way, please!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land front of the hall door has given its name to the place. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was You can understand that this register and diary may implicate He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face charge against him will break down." "What will you say?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in a friendly supper." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "It looks newer than the other things?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "He disappeared so suddenly." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and have this put in the evening papers." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you away into the river." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No bad?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole peculiar to him. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to some other building. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug brandy and water within his reach. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, clang of the bell. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a purpose equally well?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Gutenberg-tm License. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. there was no need for father to know." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in ran thus: upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look."