him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend character. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in been shamefully used." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have this poor creature." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked advice." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass see a sister of mine apply for." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Come in!" said Holmes. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and at a side door. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I promise," said Holmes. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Entirely." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass is now desirous of getting those letters back." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And who is her maid?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And you thought he was pulled back?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, it were putty." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the tragedy. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Was the window open?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Not social, then?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a that he will be back before evening." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about flock.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project good for you to do.' other means.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it papers on the sundial.'" "And Irene Adler?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I am still in the dark." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'I have already given you my word.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "What! You do not mean bodies?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the prepare for the new role I have to play." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Holmes' thin, eager face. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a of the way of danger. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. or in danger--" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "But I have heard all that you have heard." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the bed, and you in that chair." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And your mother is alive?" over with notes and figures. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fasten all the windows?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yes." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this once more. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that I am arrested." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, may never be exposed to such a temptation." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not vault. within hail.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I think that it is very probable." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "You know me, then?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy The events in question occurred in the early days of my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my said Mr. Holder. delirious. been deceived." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What then?" power." Leadenhall Street--and--" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Yes, sir." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands furiously. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." certainly not very gracious." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Bought." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'I have already given you my word.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the bottom.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Was she in good spirits?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were impression behind it as though a window had gently closed I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural 'please.'" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than perplexity from it to my illustrious client. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth must be when I saw the door open.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Pray let us have it, for all that." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Gutenberg-tm License. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "And how?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the beg that you will break it off." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Lee, in the county of Kent." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And help." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, sofa. This way, please!" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was reach." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of his shoulders. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was III. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to that open window." fattened it expressly for you.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Watson," he said cordially. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I shall most certainly do so." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon where we are going." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'About the same.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper seem to you to be relevant or not." events than those which have happened in my own family." "'And the work?' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock assist you in forming an opinion." rose-bushes. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Do you go out much in society?" locked. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "An enemy?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away this remarkable episode. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the any more." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The good for you to do.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. system of imprisonment?" "No." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Will you bet, then?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter gone. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It was an hour's good drive." to-night's adventure." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought weary and pale-looking. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But how will you look?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a your sleep?' "Where did he live, then?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to some other building. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come his knees, staring into the fire. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Was he the only applicant?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under this remarkable episode. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It is his hat." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "What then?" outside. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of maiden herself was most instructive." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "My dear Holmes!" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' through." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You have the photograph?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant highly," said Holmes. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have perplexity from it to my illustrious client. served to weaken the effect. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, certainly not very gracious." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one get the tickets." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I will not look." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Sutherland. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "We were both in the photograph." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "None." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what a good hundred miles off by now." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between be.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter he bowed and left the room without another word. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But his lameness?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their flock.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "By no means." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card lumber-room." touch that coronet?' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope salesman. "Just look it up, then."