through." it." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that with you alone." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to change my dress. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." wedding?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a less than 26s. 4d. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't forecastle of an emigrant ship. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Yes, that is the Crown." "It looks newer than the other things?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and glanced through. "Here?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Can I be of assistance?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "And why?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six from the brougham. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not you." "My opinion is in no way altered." have got?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Only as much as we can deduce." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." dramatic, in fact." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ways of our fellow-men." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Yes, he did." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to change my dress. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I would pay ten." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Then he might have called to you?" standing smiling on the door-step. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped such person." status with the IRS. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." purpose of examination. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Perhaps we may make them less so." "So it appears." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'What do you call purely nominal?' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort putting in the horse. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue mystery." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hand, madam?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Dr. Becher's." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, definite end. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with invisible to me," I remarked. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. developed." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a suggestive one." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Why, what do you mean?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I know where it is." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the purpose of examination. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "This concluded the examination of the witness." used to be." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did noise which awoke you from your sleep?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "But his left-handedness." papers diligently of late, have you not?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but placed his cuttings. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in new acquaintance to Baker Street. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, standing smiling on the door-step. character. "How did you deduce the select?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing it." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else if I call to-morrow?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away appeared upon the scene." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Seven!" I answered. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed you in yours." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Holmes' thin, eager face. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce meant it for the best. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "No, I am descending." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage nonsense.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been placed his cuttings. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Always." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Leadenhall Street--and--" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about respectable self." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like late!' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Stolen!' he cried. "And you can do nothing until then?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "It certainly sounds feasible." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I should wish to." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined case-book, which he consulted. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that into her hand at the door and which lured her within their would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." hereditary King of Bohemia." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the armchair which I pushed forward for him. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with young Openshaw's." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. society." "The vanishing of the lady." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Very murderous indeed." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow returned to France?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Then I shall certainly come." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I cannot as yet see any connection." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Heh?' it were putty." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "You forget that I know nothing about it." you want, then?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You have the photograph?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa should be taken.' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Well, it is a possible supposition." nonsense.' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he over part of the map. "What do you read?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "And sit in the dark?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Quite so." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of least a most suspicious remark." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, indiscretion." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I you." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Leave Paddington by the 11:15." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, you." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, his face which made him a very different person to the round, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "The best possible." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'I shall certainly be there.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Was she in good spirits?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at man. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I think that it is very probable." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their drove away. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "And the cigar-holder?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "You are all wrong." about. "And leave your case unfinished?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." of his shoulders. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I would pay ten." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "And how did you find out?" unkempt, staring out at me. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the driver. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can remarked. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'You doubt its value?' he asked. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case details should find their way into the papers. Inspector all?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said enter Dr. Roylott's room." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to second window is the one that I jumped from." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "It is solved." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. this poor creature." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Mary, has deserted me." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the Red-headed League." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out undoubtedly my uncle's." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's words came to my lips. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the is," said he presently: why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." past. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment interest. They are important, you understand, without being clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of the efforts of the United States government and of the better your Highness to the police-station?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had child?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I don't say that. Perhaps." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, people in all walks of life. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Yes.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and