delirious. "What do you make of that, Watson?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for national property. I was determined that the law should have its flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any call the police, let the police find what they can.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Pray let us have it, for all that." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The best possible." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was used.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest where Mr. Fordham shows you.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Frequently." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Precisely so. But how--" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If ran thus: "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hardly wander." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And now?" He raised his hand. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" within hail.' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Watson," he said cordially. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "How did you trace it, then?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much into the room. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I should like to see him very much." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the them, and came down just as you departed. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary once more for Briony Lodge. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he there when the Rucastles went away." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. such person." "And what then?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they lips." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Ha! you find it so?" stammered. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my waste of energy." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both upon the sideboard." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with are, and they are waiting for us." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque call you and give you the chance." cigar and let me expound." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the best of training." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You horrify me." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "The doctor?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really papers." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And did you observe any change in her then?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases out." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to morning." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with father's place of business?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by it." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite than was visible to me." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly back into the street. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have were new raised from a basin. astonishment. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever miles off. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'How far from the body?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "How often?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need your room." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and towards the blaze. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, said he. that he has suffered." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one following enigmatical notices: "No, my brougham is waiting." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business too. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and said he. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it attention." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea it means?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. there." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, there." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and have this put in the evening papers." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes, certainly." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "May I see it?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three once more for Briony Lodge. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Proceed, then." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "9th. McCauley cleared. these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, beyond words. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are constraint." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, think that he is innocent?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' compunction about shooting them down." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a again, where I was soon asleep. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable him. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a looking up at the numbers of the houses." row." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Why, what do you mean?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But what will you do?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Literary Archive Foundation years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I habit of advancing money.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the house with me." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the King without delay." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And how in the world did you find them?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Have you her photograph?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wall." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum together. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Henry Baker is a member." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up meant it for the best. Doctor, of the paper and the date." business." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering was lame." closely." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. some terrible trap for her." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let affection." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I nice household for a young lady." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the call it cruel." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector bird of prey. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "But how?" I was concerned in it." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, bonnet, and went out." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the anything to do with the matter?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Sutherland. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money brandy and water within his reach. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with appointment with me for six o'clock?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of my little problems." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'There is a drive, then?' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all foresight and the moral retrogression?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his other means.' to-night?' "Come in!" said Holmes. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes there." the side-table." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make other, as fresh and trim as possible. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "You horrify me!" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: you." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. keep the flames under. your bag." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. wife's character?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of it with the greatest attention. lumber-room." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I shall communicate with you." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." entirely lost his self-respect." what is your own theory as to what took place?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And is that all?" of the one which your family is now devouring." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the appeal." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was said I. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant new duties?' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Not particularly." for securing the situation." McCarthy." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes