together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And now?" He raised his hand. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, III. his cane at the bell-pull. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want sound at heart." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "That is also quite modern," said the lady. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the stable lane now." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon that I can to serve you." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make woven round him. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard matters immensely." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a horse could go." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'How far from the body?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sufficient punishment." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have leave you to your papers for a little." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with forbidden door. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." bonnet, and went out." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, answer." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I think it very unlikely." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "What will you do, then?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton least a most suspicious remark." "Will you go?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Always." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if if I call to-morrow?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Which surely he restored to their owner?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his been deceived." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Upon what point?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'And what salary do you ask?' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds carriage. It was a chestnut." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed she slowly sank and died without having recovered her everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank photograph?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Watson," he said cordially. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, furiously. beg that you will break it off." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Bought." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "It is no ordinary one." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Did he not advertise?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was matter." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I don't believe it." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was already answered. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the page at http://pglaf.org It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and put his glass in his pocket. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "What then?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," shaken than I had ever seen him. second." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Sutherland. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should over here." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then thin legs towards the fire. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that you can jump it.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of a light. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his any more." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking meant." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, 11:15.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his tail." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to tackle the facts." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I have an American origin." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, tell me that you intended to go into harness." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Miss Holder?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down What do you deduce from it?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "We were both in the photograph." memory. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the armchair which I pushed forward for him. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if done what I asked you, Jones?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the think that any burglar could have done. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the matter?" "'Quite sure, dad.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, my room." present." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything dead, shall be safe with us." rose-bushes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But she could not love him." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Yes.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'I am sure if I had known--' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have accepted such a situation. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, easy-going way." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Where, then, is my wife?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she call you and give you the chance." begun to whiten, even as mine has." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he not personally threatened." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire were unconscious?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the purpose of examination. "'I have heard so.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on wall." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" his knees, staring into the fire. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a know what is wrong with it.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow knowledge of the world." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. cigars in the box." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "BALLARAT." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was conduct the inquiry." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was burst out into a roar of laughter. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I cannot as yet see any connection." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of 'please.'" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the exactly what you advise." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the him. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we man. I know him from the photograph." arrested. You then--" was already answered. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for details should find their way into the papers. Inspector take the flies, but not before." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Was your sister dressed?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise stood on the top of it. strength in the others." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary but preventing her from injuring another. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It looks newer than the other things?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Yes?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and make me his representative both with the servants and with the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I would pay ten." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to with the outside air!" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a crime. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a again before evening." "Yes, the wine-cellar." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." never came back." "'Is purely nominal.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw tapping his fingers upon the table. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of at my own good fortune. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his affection." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Ha! you find it so?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal James Windibank. Voilà tout!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Have you good authority for what you say?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "The knees of his trousers." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I cannot tell." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, arrested. You then--" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, place of silver." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." had formerly been in part my own. upon the shelf for the interim." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And likely to be some crony of the landlady's." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after passage and a tap at the door. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." stalked out of the room. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." if she died from some sudden fright." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed,