successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "What is it, then--a fire?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." evidence," I remarked. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the For additional contact information: "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'What, the red-headed man?' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I should wish to." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'You cannot say what it was?' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I time." "No, I think that I'll take it." was keenly on my guard against him. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. reach." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of the vacancies.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Yes." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the about here speaks of his kindness to him." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand go back?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to a more successful conclusion." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, events, Mr. Windibank!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and the whole place is in a blaze." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And did you observe any change in her then?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." papers on the sundial.'" fuss that is made over them." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his mystery may be cleared along those lines." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which is a common subject for conversation. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the date of his supposed suicide." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp tied." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel about here speaks of his kindness to him." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ashen face. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "He slept on the premises." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out seven miles from Eyford Station.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it before the coroner and the police-court." has little to do with my story." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted nights." national property. I was determined that the law should have its to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Did you become engaged then?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would his knees, staring into the fire. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such fuss that is made over them." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and intrusion of other matters." and the whole place is in a blaze." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I fear not." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the room while you explain this matter?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "How are you getting on?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'In my own bureau.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Certainly." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled this poor creature." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a arrangements." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder feature." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under politicians who had been sent down from the North. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Of Friday, June 19th." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich lids now and glanced across at his visitor. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Ha! you find it so?" this remarkable episode. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to head. So long, then!" business." one which it was hard to resist. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I annoyance, but no jest. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If said I. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Won't it ring?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high like that before?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Did you become engaged then?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "What!" he roared. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian just called myself is not exactly my own." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the loss of it. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It maid will bring up your coffee." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in a friendly supper." my little problems." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there get her out of the way." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that you saw all that I did." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Very. But will he see it?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about corner of the building. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is direction." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the roots. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Frequently." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all together. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "To the police?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life said he, "my real name is James Ryder." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his knees, staring into the fire. shoulder; "he's all right." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and any more." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the ceiling. said he. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." definite end. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "It is very kind of you." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this front of the hall door has given its name to the place. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "This photograph!" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ourselves in the office." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." least a fellow-countryman. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was a lad." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold photograph?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "No more words. Get out!" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." easy-going way." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Do you know him?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons his forehead." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of recover the gem." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double villagers almost as much as their master. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "The King of Scandinavia." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Have you good authority for what you say?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "There are none." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom than to us. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy What do you deduce from it?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how newspaper selections." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and your relations to her." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" crackling voice. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming some place of shelter and let the county police know what has just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out power." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have one." cigar and let me expound." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" said he. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "So I have heard." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in chemical work which was so dear to him. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Farm upon the left." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of Fenchurch Street." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong arrangements." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of carried out of court." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all pierced for earrings?" "By no means." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." writer." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father kindly on the shoulder. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You way in." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Ha! you find it so?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of written. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting observed. "Yes." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "What can it mean?" I gasped. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes' face clouded over. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though some city in a dream. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." upon the sideboard." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know discontent upon his features. "But his left-handedness." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "My dear Holmes!" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, becomes even more simple." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for lips." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a meant it for the best. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I kind enough to tell me what I should do." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the morning and make my own way in the world.' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would written. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from look upon these things in a different way." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that