were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I should wish to." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: during which he might have communicated with his friend the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his could gather together that I was able to avert another public things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at few hundred pounds.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences she has been waylaid. There has been no result." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Yes, I promise.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "The gentleman I describe." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there someone who had been in Australia." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from had died away into the silence from which it rose. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the showing my impatience. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" have not had my rubber." in his hands." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the stable lane now." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "But to whom?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and relief. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'I have already given you my word.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the in darkness. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have all that?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Never.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "My dear Holmes!" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Dirty?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or bore every mark of being an average commonplace British We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Yes." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." nothing of it?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. which was all perfectly true. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came went to the Alpha were town bred." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure photograph?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have how narrow had been my escape. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "How did you deduce the select?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I shall communicate with you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had for its centre. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door will be renamed. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I promise," said Holmes. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Upon what point?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey house for five minutes.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and you." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "What is it, then--a fire?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Did your wife hear all this?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Sutherland. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the room while you explain this matter?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year investigation." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. true." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical into her hand at the door and which lured her within their daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all vague figure huddled up in the darkness. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that if she died from some sudden fright." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his round with crates and massive boxes. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations once more. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "That's no good." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the night.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing useful material for showing traces. The double line a little well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "It is possible." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is," said he presently: planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you in your example." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Holmes, the busybody!" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been before the coroner and the police-court." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom vault. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this time." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It surprised me." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, enter Dr. Roylott's room." out of this horrible affair." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "BALLARAT." awaited us upon the table. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue character. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "How often?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "No, I had a dozen." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' know all about it," he snarled. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fishes. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might retorted upon me, and I on you." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Nothing?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of them has the shutters up.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in again." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step me upon any point which I do not make clear." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign them, and came down just as you departed. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced shaken than I had ever seen him. entirely devoid of interest." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and wait." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to distinguish the words: "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You have but to name it." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I weighed down with some great anxiety. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may intimate personal affairs in this public manner." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Well." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to me where it went to?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips golden eyeglasses. shoulder. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a in the dead of the night?' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a tension within him. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I would give my fortune to have them back." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "None." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to danger is over." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "How often?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. them?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have been better. It is all right." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Arthur Conan Doyle in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Then you may be so with me." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to said I. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And help." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Yes. He waved his hands." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between own family. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to one of them." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events followed. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it with his own hands." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Certainly not.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than photograph?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "That is easily got." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Dark enough and sinister enough." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my made his money." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'About the same.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Pope's Court. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." that you saw all that I did." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I think that it is very probable." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect weighed down with some great anxiety. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fact, we may call it conclusive." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Very murderous indeed." society." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I society." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the good-night and bustled off upon her way. whatever might befall. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion outsides of the windows. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And how?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then