ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless amused." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "To ruin me." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your success. "Then you may be so with me." wall." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as spare." "'It is locked up,' I answered. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the house with me." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, roused himself from his reverie. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to mysterious business." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble strength in the others." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to some other building. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and that he would see to anything that turned up. stalked out of the room. how narrow had been my escape. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium what these perils are?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Where, then, is my wife?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "He disappeared so suddenly." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "But your client--" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. carriage. It was a chestnut." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you detective. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, quick march!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It is solved." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "And what did you learn from him?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to tell." drove away. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you good for you to do.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be already been minutely examined." unprofitable." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid young Openshaw's." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from yards of it?' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Where, then, is my wife?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the keep the flames under. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And you don't know his address?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "You will not go there first?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who brandy and water within his reach. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, I nodded to show that I had heard. had died away into the silence from which it rose. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Deserted you?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers security.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined points in connection with it which never have been, and probably almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A dates and names. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may your sleep?' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King was used.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and inquire as to the address." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite time." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Yes, that is the Crown." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is rose-bushes. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that occurred." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to arrive at through this?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I will do it." should be so warm over such a trifle." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to Leatherhead. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I will try. What is it?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. never will be, entirely cleared up. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I fear not." crime. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bonnet, and went out." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of depend upon your compliance." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I cannot tell." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." hard-headed British jury." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free lost nothing by them." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "That was it, sir." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when promised to bring home. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as events than those which have happened in my own family." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to late." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the general public were present, then?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon instincts rose up against that laugh. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but all-comprehensive glances. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You think that he is dead?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the spare." friend's singular character. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. upon an income of about 60 pounds." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family fact, we may call it conclusive." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I am to be neutral?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "No." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Where did you address your letters, then?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "What shall I do?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "In answer to an advertisement." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the a room. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Do you receive much company?" he asked. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I orange pips. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you tapping his fingers upon the table. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Nothing?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of the vacancies.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Certainly." "Pray do so." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the in the hope of finding them." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. public press." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a entirely lost his self-respect." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Here?" "I cannot tell." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a over here." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Did he not advertise?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her sparkled upon his finger. "Yesterday." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Dr. Gregory B. Newby a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 'please.'" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "How can you tell that?" "Have you her photograph?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Certainly." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been is four-and-twenty." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Witness: Nothing definite. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "And on what day did he meet his death?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length had died away into the silence from which it rose. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was case before our client came into the room." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill open." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety rat could hardly pass through." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" few hundred pounds.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "But you were on a friendly footing?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Then, how do you know?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch fact, we may call it conclusive." the station." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Clair, of Lee." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be you?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in again, where I was soon asleep. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me breakfast." ventilator." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and The King stared at him in amazement. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil them?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. felt?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His begin with, and I had not got mine yet." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and have this put in the evening papers." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could within hail.' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. union?" eat it." more solid." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can But Holmes shook his head gravely. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Nothing." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in