"'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it License. You must require such a user to return or card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a drawing your inferences." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, off." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do awaited us upon the table. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "My last client of the sort was a king." "I am armed." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Then, as to money?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Ha! you find it so?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to tackle the facts." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured key of the affair now." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then I do not see the point." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was not a bird to be seen there. too. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. carpenter." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes." to you." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you trifles." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him within hail.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Deserted you?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with is acting for the best. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here back to my heart. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But what will you do?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I say it is." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past against a man in the prime of life?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are ways including including checks, online payments and credit card concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Come in!" said Holmes. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. province." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case will take you up to see the machine.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "My own seal." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with as he folded up the epistle. and effective." row." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Does that suggest anything?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we his forehead." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in straightened it out again. this man was intellectual?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have into the bag, and made for the door. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No legal papers or certificates?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "The Coroner: What do you mean? reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "No, but the enclosure is." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he definite end. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had confronted him. the child." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. husband's writing, madam." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, during which he might have communicated with his friend the think that any burglar could have done. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to a light-house. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by during the last few years, and there are many noble families to with her." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long simple cases which are so extremely difficult." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. bare slabs of marble. husband's writing, madam." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & lids now and glanced across at his visitor. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I bachelor.' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "And sit in the dark?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes husband's writing, madam." here." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were politicians who had been sent down from the North. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Stoke Moran." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Did he not advertise?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From on re-entering her father's house?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Nearly eleven." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Was your sister dressed?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and kind enough to tell me what I should do." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst was a loud and authoritative tap. "I assure you that I am in your hands." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "It is very clear." room?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest prepare for the new role I have to play." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I cannot tell." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow ceremony." yards of it?' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently lips." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then what has happened to him?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes closely." "And now?" I asked. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for made his money." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has introspective fashion. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works wanted for ourselves." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no morning." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do whereabouts. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I say that I have solved it." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'I am sure that I do not know.' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that sound at heart." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It surprised me." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account bearing upon the case." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "He might." asked. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." there." skylight. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have have established a very serious case against the son of the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it woven round him. "The vanishing of the lady." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I morning." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hopeless attempt at recovering them." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was used.' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'What, the red-headed man?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of really the only notable feature about the thing." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our papers." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well questionable one." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's congratulate you again." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Watson," he said cordially. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and the church but not where the lady lived." "And what then?" "There are none." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, carriage. It was a chestnut." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional vault. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business been shamefully used." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever there!' indeed which he could not unravel. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." to-night?" I asked. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of the vacancies.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high name is different." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest call for it in person on Monday morning.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had invisible to me," I remarked. "I guessed as much." handed it to him. emerged. "Did you observe the colour?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "That is possible." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "What! You do not mean bodies?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the You want to know what became of those geese?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the loss of it. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were business came to an end." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and the whole place is in a blaze." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or views." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the stones. "On Monday." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Thank you. Pray proceed." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" clanging. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'How far from the body?' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "No?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside all that?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Nothing?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott woman." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which were unconscious?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet never came back." laugh and put his lips to my ear. woven round him. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very