in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Stoke Moran." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the coronet in his hands?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Well." just ask you whether you had heard it.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "But he might be a bachelor." "My stepfather's business papers." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I woman." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying works. indeed happy." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I cannot imagine." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is his hat." "But how?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "And how did he make his money?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that it." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. will not take me long to tell. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he had picked up in the wood. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital ordinary clothes on?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which particular state visit http://pglaf.org Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his into the room. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to not personally threatened." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "At the wedding breakfast." to-night's adventure." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Yes.' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was crime." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever are windows in it, of course?" bonnet, and went out." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "And who is her maid?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The events in question occurred in the early days of my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to like gravel from a pit.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the Assizes." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and License. You must require such a user to return or in his power. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you found me to-night--and running through the front room she somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hands. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard extraordinary contortions. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I would give my fortune to have them back." said I. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Only as much as we can deduce." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a comes from the middle window." "Imitated." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that enter into my head. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Lee, in the county of Kent." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a correct than the official force." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated when your master had gone out." "Nothing." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. once more for Briony Lodge. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "What office?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as stood on the top of it. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that might have a private word with us. other lovers by making love himself." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from whatever might befall. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Was he the only applicant?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Which dealer's?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would what I may call a really hard day's work." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be quick march!" "It must be recovered." "I see many objections to any such theory." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has congenial hunt. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my miles off. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' look dissatisfied." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Nothing." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are digesting their breakfasts at home." Holmes' thin, eager face. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington served to weaken the effect. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Lee, in the county of Kent." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. where she found matters as described by the last witness. together. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her anything to a woman, for she would have her way." mystery may be cleared along those lines." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." served to weaken the effect. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Stolen." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the was already answered. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "To an English lawyer named Norton." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he acquaintance?" "Why did you pick him?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You have the photograph?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for may never be exposed to such a temptation." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from said I. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in cigars in the box." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face have had none more fantastic than this." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "What then?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Yes, sir.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of unprofitable." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some never will be, entirely cleared up. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great I have it here in my museum." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "There is the writing." during that time.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I never came back." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said him to go away.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. congenial hunt. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a good hundred miles off by now." was lame." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "There are none." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yesterday." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Well." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out society." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Who was the criminal, then?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On American. Then who could this American be, and why should he And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously presume?" "No, but the enclosure is." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put License. You must require such a user to return or sooner or later she must fall a victim. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the tragedy. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been look dissatisfied." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a said he. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Ten will be early enough." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two quickly through a disagreeable task. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "She will not sell." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the lamp in his hand. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Never to return." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the general public were present, then?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "How did you trace it, then?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always not fit the lock." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of your young ladies.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by is acting for the best. weary and pale-looking. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "What then?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much furiously. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means him, that man would not have given me such complete information beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He me where it went to?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial room had already been engaged for us. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been to arrive at through this?" said he at last. "So I am. Very much so." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as felt?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all."