"Then, how do you know?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, later, upon the night of May 2nd." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And how did he make his money?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "My own seal." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of the one which your family is now devouring." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'Oh, no.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "And you don't know his address?" the Red-headed League." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "The rest you will leave in our hands." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "An enemy?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Count Von Kramm." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and your relations to her." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no girl said." "And it is--" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "On the contrary, this is the right side." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "In San Francisco, a year ago." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Certainly." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by ran thus: him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the awaited us upon the table. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "It certainly sounds feasible." forecastle of an emigrant ship. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices entirely devoid of interest." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hopeless attempt at recovering them." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy foresight and the moral retrogression?" face and glided from the room. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Holmes, the busybody!" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled any little problem which you may submit to me." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is over part of the map. "What do you read?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "ARAT," I read. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been me." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to affect your life." "Not in a good cause." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which like that before?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning towards the blaze. "And you thought he was pulled back?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place cup of tea. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to little trying to do so much typewriting?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that good-night and bustled off upon her way. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of such attractions and accomplishments?' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah taking in every detail of the apartment. unclasping of his long thin hands. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "The King of Scandinavia." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found your only hope of safety." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is McCarthy's innocence. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I cannot imagine." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, door?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Was your sister dressed?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What then?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and the colonel ushered me in. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I cannot imagine." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wanted for ourselves." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more DAMAGE. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. enough to aid us in our search." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The you." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. brandy and water within his reach. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "But we can't all be." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And what did you see?" "It is solved." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "How are you getting on?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a strode off upon his way. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My putting in the horse. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "And help." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Was the window open?" "Not him." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Mrs. Toller serenely. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal happened." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little had formerly been in part my own. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with chance." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, do." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most redistribution. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a think you a quite exceptional woman." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your fait accompli?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the know what is wrong with it.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is footfalls from the street. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'How far from the body?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that daring than any effort of the imagination." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such gbnewby@pglaf.org rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been tapping his fingers upon the table. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she room?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, know all about it," he snarled. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "The doctor?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the coroner come to?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And why in hopes?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I cannot imagine." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Never." forehead. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was leave you to your papers for a little." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "An enemy?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. locked." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade happened." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an affair. "Bought." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Absolutely?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark rose-bushes. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to talk it over. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. here and I will read it to you: "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "What! a murderous attack?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun and the whole place is in a blaze." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that papers." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again letters?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you manager. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and until night should bring an explanation. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of evidence," I remarked. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness useful material for showing traces. The double line a little impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked see me here to avoid scandal." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "That is possible." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want train from Paddington which would bring you there at about About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a sofa. This way, please!" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'I have heard so.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you present." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "To an end?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Whose house is it?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to unkempt, staring out at me. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." for its centre. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in opportunities to fix the problem. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his something of him before." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'I am sure if I had known--' "And sit in the dark?" my special province." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It missed him, then?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock events, Mr. Windibank!" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it had died away into the silence from which it rose. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I am in hopes that she does." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend husband's writing, madam." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the true." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from you." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should