into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Where is it, then?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all someone who had been in Australia." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'I have already given you my word.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came when your master had gone out." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his fortune, and I went back to pa. answer." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until had a long day." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. memory. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had The police have openly confessed that they can at present make who was a member of your goose club." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Why? What do you mean?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "That is possible." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you down from London to inquire more deeply into it." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "What! a murderous attack?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to The summons was a brief and urgent one. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each mystery may be cleared along those lines." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was shoulder. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I cannot tell." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "But what is it you wish?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "So I have heard." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in anything to do with the matter?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my What do you deduce from it?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of mystery!" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "What of the rat, then?" noting anything else of interest. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden beg that you will break it off." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'I am sure that I do not know.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the papers diligently of late, have you not?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Chief Executive and Director took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "And I." you." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Certainly,' I answered. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a been deceived." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I see many objections to any such theory." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Mary, has deserted me." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "She will not sell." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." back to my heart. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Where to?" see me here to avoid scandal." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door these bleak autumnal evenings." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of the vacancies.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was did not hear it also.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." happened." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for correct than the official force." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind row." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the overpowering excitement and concern. Street. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Is he quiet?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. records." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. up this clue while it is still hot." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." business at Coburg Square is serious." cup of tea. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a John Swain, of St. Augustine. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "What shall I do?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who During two years I have had three consultations and one small room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and started for the Temple to see my husband. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the whatever might befall. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Then I do not see the point." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the closing the door. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in my life." it means?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously three of the beryls in it, was missing. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double completely overtopped every other consideration that we both parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Imitated." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'In my own bureau.' "It is very clear." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he come either from the window or the door. My attention was Serpentine Avenue. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just brought there to personate someone, and the real person is place, I think that there is good ground to think that the main points of my analysis." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "No more words. Get out!" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly such person." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Yes, I promise.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. used to be." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than his huge brown hands. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. as this. Pray let me have the details." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It must be recovered." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a just called myself is not exactly my own." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What, then, did Peterson do?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "My dear Holmes!" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold threw himself down with his face to the pillow. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between not, dad?" she asked. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and looked back. spark where all is dark to me." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just before the coroner and the police-court." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just dates and names. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Always." http://www.gutenberg.net "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for prove to be little relation between the different incidents of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the fact, we may call it conclusive." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was a loud and authoritative tap. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its hurried by. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Quite so. She has her freedom." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and the colonel ushered me in. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and existence." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual companion. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may such person." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I am still in the dark." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "A confidential servant?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then already referred to. appeared upon the scene." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and certainly not very gracious." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and thirty. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in opened the door, and slipped through. child?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the quickly through a disagreeable task. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And what then?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "In which, sir?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week she has been waylaid. There has been no result." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I should like to see him very much." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and second." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Sholtos." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. papers on the sundial.'" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." must be when I saw the door open.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, bare slabs of marble. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, intrusion of other matters." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Here?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "So I am. Very much so." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a second." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "She will not sell." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No, thank goodness, she did not." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to have been novel and of interest." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'I am sure that I do not know.' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. DISSOLVED. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never existence." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that you wished to speak to me?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting not within a twentieth part of the market price." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the coronet in his hand?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Have you her photograph?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been strength." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'And the work?' have got?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the side-table." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a quickly through a disagreeable task. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the giving me time to thank him. garden below. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "We must have a cab." "Did you observe the colour?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others It may be so in this case, also." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fear." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side