very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of his shoulders. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light away to you." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with because she had spent so short a time in this country that she you?' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yes, sir." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is of Fenchurch Street." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I am in hopes that she does." "I am in hopes that she does." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to cigars in their mouths. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You know me, then?" records." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Very good.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and looked back. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in depend upon your compliance." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between to where he stood hid behind the curtain. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly could not have written that. It is the German who is so Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a What do you deduce from it?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely chair. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle true." "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Dr. Becher's." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with be best to do. "'About the same.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which photograph?" were wasted." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him papers on the sundial.'" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and looked back. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was for the market.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, rose-bushes. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm here." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the letters?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'And the work?' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her of the way of danger. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'I have heard so.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Yes, all." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I was concerned in it." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Again Holmes raved in the air. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you?' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me distance from the station, and there we found the young lady attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But ways of our fellow-men." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of whole matter to your consideration." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, room. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "But how could you guess what the motive was?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope more terrible than the truth. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "What do you mean?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been never to learn it at all." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in outside." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "No, distinctly professional." "It missed him, then?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I cannot tell." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of eat it." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the it means?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet views." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "What will you say?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father shag which I had seen upon the previous night. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. province." prepare for the new role I have to play." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And help." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once system of imprisonment?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his generous with you in money matters.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, over with notes and figures. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sparkled upon his finger. bled considerably." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter morning." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a late." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at down. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining tear off another piece?' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'You cannot say what it was?' the little opening for the ventilator is." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless is so. I know all about McCarthy." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name dear old homesteads?" will he say when he returns?" "Come in!" said Holmes. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." absorbing." "What will you say?" you in yours." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said conceal it?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced with some details as to your case." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we useful material for showing traces. The double line a little schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat meanly of me." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ten will be early enough." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" business came to an end." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must crime." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if made his money." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tightly behind him. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that, and I came down." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened place of silver." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his wife has ceased to love him." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I have hopes." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And how in the world did you find them?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I am to be neutral?" to affect your life." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than to go into your room and bar your shutters?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It was." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the during which he might have communicated with his friend the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the telegram would bring me down to your help." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Nearly eleven." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to highroad, where all traces were lost. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; if only as a check to my own memory." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But what harm can there be in that?" "Yes." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Sutherland. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, It may be so in this case, also." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire kind enough to tell me what I should do." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of seem to you to be relevant or not." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may returned to France?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest signal between you and your father? "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "His face fell immediately. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and your relations to her." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety said he at last. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went their singular warning or token before them when starting upon leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the nursery. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "10th. John Swain cleared. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Does that suggest anything?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who think, you have already met." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the murdered man." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And sit in the dark?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Stoke Moran." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their with you alone." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the question. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young not personally threatened." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, few hundred pounds.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And sit in the dark?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It roused himself from his reverie. problems help me to do so." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Yes." "Where did he live, then?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was to talk it over. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is started for the Temple to see my husband. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Lee, in the county of Kent." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to British peeress.'" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "None." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Very truly yours, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in II. "Yes, all." individual and becomes the badge of a society." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in 11:15.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Imitated." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "But how?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means disturbance in my wife." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to appeared upon the scene." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "So I heard. You have him here?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Murdered?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He character. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now my little problems." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the bed, and you in that chair." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." man. I know him from the photograph." "'Most admirably.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of whether it answered to the description of any of their hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps money should be paid at once.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the developed." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to surprise her."