we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a my friend's incisive reasoning. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows disappearance of these gems?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "He might." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. closing the door. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Oh, fresh and glossy." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." danger is over." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her success. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the very letters. But what is this written above them?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, believe that I should never have any practice at all. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have had none more fantastic than this." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. clanging. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the confronted him. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I will do it." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The any." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Was your sister dressed?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the detective. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at drawing your inferences." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'Oh, no.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, papers must be those that are destroyed.' weighed down with some great anxiety. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. together. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his eyes and forehead. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I four million human beings all jostling each other within the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons back alive. unclasping of his long thin hands. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Because he was handy and would come cheap." them, and came down just as you departed. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to copied or distributed: whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Ha! you find it so?" my little problems." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. it. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sufficient punishment." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first than to us. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, despair." she might be summoned. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Dr. Becher's." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "The murder was done with it." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something train from Paddington which would bring you there at about repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, something of him before." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "No sign of it?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I will not look." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "No, my brougham is waiting." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. nothing of it?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'About the same.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I fear not." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which tell him that I know him to be innocent." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "You have but to name it." "It came here." do.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his For additional contact information: in a very precise fashion." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and it need not interfere very much with one's other lost nothing by them." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the green of the new foliage. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." on in his house." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Here?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Bought." man. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I promise," said Holmes. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And on what day did he meet his death?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a little more before I quite committed myself. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Nothing?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Chief Executive and Director public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned her also." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the few hundred pounds.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You don't mind breaking the law?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And when will you call?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper quick march!" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Not yet." corner of the building. soul! here is her carriage at the door." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. he died? law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am do you make of it all?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bled considerably." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Edgeware Road. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such papers on the sundial.'" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of breakfast." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a fear." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for felt?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "We have tried and failed." late!' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "What have you to say now?" "Certainly." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Her father is very rich?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "No, thank goodness, she did not." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "No. His orders were to stay in the house." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Yes, from Horsham." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are been anything against him. He had for years been known as a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, said I. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "She walked into the breakfast-room." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'What would be the hours?' I asked. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. fait accompli?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' forbidden door. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me coat-tails." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an this poor creature." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler society." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and that he would see to anything that turned up. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an be best to do. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's prepare for the new role I have to play." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at presume?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'And the work?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had how narrow had been my escape. compunction about shooting them down." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in me have 200 pounds?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers more terrible than the truth. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point tell him that I know him to be innocent." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and wait." the King without delay." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the dangers which encompass me." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" conceal it?" answer." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal towards the blaze. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and all that?" approach us with offers to donate. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Nothing?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' This is what he says: green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There be best to do. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can come either from the window or the door. My attention was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Yes, sir.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." people don't know." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which fire. You quite follow me?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a very grave face. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Absolutely none." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But how will you look?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to like gravel from a pit.' "Seven!" I answered. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "They are typewritten," I remarked. families. Now for the facts. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss instincts rose up against that laugh. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the inquest, and which are worth considering." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "But not more so than I to find you." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend his wife has ceased to love him." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hurried away. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to think that he is innocent?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole head. So long, then!" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this read over the extraordinary announcement. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Yes, the wine-cellar." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in shall not find me ungrateful." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not