vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I am following you closely," I answered. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed papers must be those that are destroyed.' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have I gained?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one figure." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the nothing with him." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to surprise her." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to Leatherhead. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the so-precious time, but come!' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The rest you will leave in our hands." astonishment. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the address that was given us in the advertisement. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" within hail.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "That also I could fathom." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I fear not." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "How do you know, then?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking once more. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I have solved it." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I think that it is very probable." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I think it very unlikely." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had question. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the running down." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Could he throw no light?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Yes, sir." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking we went to search for him, face downward in a little felt the room to be a little close.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he matter over." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And on what day did he meet his death?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over most interesting one." my little problems." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her laugh and put his lips to my ear. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Always." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And your mother is alive?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the window, rose as we entered. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's intimate personal affairs in this public manner." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses where we are going." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Then, as to money?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Not yet." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Pray be precise as to details," said he. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "In the cells." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." way: in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Sholtos." within hail.' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out goes." promised to bring home. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "But what is it you wish?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold This is what he says: with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the inner apartment." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the window, rose as we entered. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Yes, sir.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, all-comprehensive glances. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that pound a week." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of once more for Briony Lodge. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the coroner come to?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, bearing upon the case." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Deserted you?" strength in the others." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And I to find an enemy." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Nothing." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Certainly,' I answered. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "But the mystery?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the o'clock is it?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's your equipment. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little had a long day." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and it." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his if I call to-morrow?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in felt the room to be a little close.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been business." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon little adventures." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It is very clear." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in so.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which a suggestive one." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come But Holmes shook his head gravely. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "My last client of the sort was a king." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "This photograph!" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it disturbance in my wife." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" roused himself from his reverie. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for in a very precise fashion." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the roots. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning she slowly sank and died without having recovered her confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I will, Miss Turner." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes of a light. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I am armed." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'Certainly not.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Certainly." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in conclusions. hands. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But to whom?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it crime. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further address. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And how in the world did you find them?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "We must have a cab." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come do.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Where, indeed?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag morning." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is case before our client came into the room." to tell." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. business at Coburg Square is serious." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for speckled band?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I took the paper from him and read as follows: dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a be. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Arthur Conan Doyle drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when it." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Certainly." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your fact, we may call it conclusive." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. respectable self." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and the whole place is in a blaze." "I have a cab outside." other lovers by making love himself." "But the mystery?" was used.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "No legal papers or certificates?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "My dear Holmes!" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "How do you know, then?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the Red-headed League." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "The Cedars?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused written, and locked the door of the office after me. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to tightly behind him. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I cannot tell." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly touch that coronet?' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, believe that I should never have any practice at all. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune highroad, where all traces were lost. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, have been better. It is all right." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I cannot think." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Certainly, madam." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Always." Holmes' thin, eager face. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot must compliment you." gone. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss unprecedented a position." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "No." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker noble correspondent could be. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set front of the hall door has given its name to the place. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Not social, then?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?"