and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new case-book, which he consulted. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger occupations.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and files of the old papers, following the future career of every precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. gives a meaning to it." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and your relations to her." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set lids now and glanced across at his visitor. closely." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Here?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Yes, there are nearly always some there." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And how did you find out?" "But the mystery?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Then the page we have seen--" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I shall communicate with you." cost them two and thirty pounds." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I warn you that they are very incomplete." into the bag, and made for the door. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Precisely." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "My dear Holmes!" new acquaintance to Baker Street. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no occupations.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "On Monday." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' stalked out of the room. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened noble correspondent could be. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Only as much as we can deduce." back alive. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the was a loud and authoritative tap. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Yes?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I shall continue with my miserable story. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Where to?' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'A dozen yards or so.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; me upon any point which I do not make clear." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the window, rose as we entered. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "No, I am descending." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." your room." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "My stepfather's business papers." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the one as in the other." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. young Openshaw's." Gutenberg-tm License. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business do.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a His name is Francis Prosper." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was stammered. wedding?" bird of prey. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening walking." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, written. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry drawing your inferences." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the stable lane now." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the over here." "Never." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do yourselves in at night?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "On the contrary, this is the right side." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, salesman. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Here?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something address. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and too. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his both be extremely obliged.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "What office?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square vault. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "What, then, did Peterson do?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' go from here to the Strand." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than knowledge of the world." "But I have heard all that you have heard." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. gentleman's clothes. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then, how do you know?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, grasp, he hurried from the room. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole lamp. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but is four-and-twenty." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of villagers almost as much as their master. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "How did that help you?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and experiences." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but most interesting one." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I four million human beings all jostling each other within the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them mystery!" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I approached. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "That is possible." the loss of it. upon a handsome competence. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And what did you learn from him?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in detective. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And I." "Come in!" said he. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "What can you not understand?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled where Mr. Fordham shows you.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the little opening for the ventilator is." I shall continue with my miserable story. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that he will be back before evening." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "On the contrary, this is the right side." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "What of the rat, then?" discontent upon his features. "I cannot tell." "When did it break out?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that nice household for a young lady." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "By train from Waterloo." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the other means.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to arrive at through this?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. important." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle ran thus: object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, yet." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Where is it, then?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Not I." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'Which dealer's?' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained notes," he said. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of charge against him will break down." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable closing the door. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was what is your own theory as to what took place?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it roused himself from his reverie. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the rose-bushes. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to time." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock is acting for the best. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the London for the present?" fat-encircled eyes. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Your presence might be invaluable." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to union?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would done what I asked you, Jones?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, way: had formerly been in part my own. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," to-night?' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not roused himself from his reverie. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "The murder was done with it." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which retorted upon me, and I on you." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the date of his supposed suicide." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I