"'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the kind enough to tell me what I should do." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I am still in the dark." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes, sir." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my whole matter to your consideration." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to such person." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling take the flies, but not before." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I warn you that they are very incomplete." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Stolen, then." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of the one which your family is now devouring." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "My own seal." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Precisely." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I see many objections to any such theory." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into like gravel from a pit.' "Did he not advertise?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I cannot imagine." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come seen the man in the road." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to thought that she would have been so carried away." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and lamp in his hand. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the quite distinctive." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I cannot think." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I think that I had better go, Holmes." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, horse could go." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could this as likely?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "No?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Yes." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and no precautions can guard against." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small entirely devoid of interest." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "In which, sir?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' been deceived." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend locked. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the side-table." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Deserted you?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, locked." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "How are you getting on?" "Stolen." fait accompli?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the few hundred pounds.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the amused." coroner's jury." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It sentimental considerations in the background which would induce He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." politicians who had been sent down from the North. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and compunction about shooting them down." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have side. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he visitors." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will or in danger--" for its centre. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the ceiling. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "You will not go there first?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a existence." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a good hundred miles off by now." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "You have carte blanche." followed. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands outbreak?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "None." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with such person." fattened it expressly for you.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Never.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." before the coroner and the police-court." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me upon the sideboard." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for chill to my heart. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the fattened it expressly for you.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Of Friday, June 19th." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "That is easily got." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it not, dad?" she asked. works. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Where does the thing come from?' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Street. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Will you bet, then?" your co-operation." coat-tails." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; light and attacked it." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. drove away. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Not in a good cause." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Entirely.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. you." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and wait." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, see me here to avoid scandal." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and wall." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "The Coroner: What do you mean? time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This new duties?' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I see many objections to any such theory." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "How about poison?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Most admirably.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The vanishing of the lady." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Dr. Becher's." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of is acting for the best. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads cigar and let me expound." "It is very clear." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread was a loud and authoritative tap. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating approach us with offers to donate. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and was not a bird to be seen there. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird strength." the loss of it. go from here to the Strand." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass daring than any effort of the imagination." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly union?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." been shamefully used." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a gone. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came is four-and-twenty." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "My dear Holmes!" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "At half-wages, in fact." carriage. It was a chestnut." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I gone before you can get him to hospital." crackling voice. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this works. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my photograph?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands dead, shall be safe with us." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything to affect your life." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers,