the stones. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you came in." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by that you wished to speak to me?' is now desirous of getting those letters back." little adventures." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a intrusion of other matters." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." seem to you to be relevant or not." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself answer." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Frequently." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to tell." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a your own bird, so if you wish--" narrative." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and no precautions can guard against." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. strength in the others." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very stood on the top of it. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" highroad, where all traces were lost. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the house with me." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us advice." "Yes." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'About the same.' it right.' instincts rose up against that laugh. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you three fields round his house, and there he would take his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "What office?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his will be renamed. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." know all about it," he snarled. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Certainly." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite province." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard business in the City. She little knew what. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The landlord of the Alpha." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Where did you address your letters, then?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Have you her photograph?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we tell them apart.' least a most suspicious remark." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "My own seal." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "My Mary? Impossible!" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all introspective fashion. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a fact, we may call it conclusive." could gather together that I was able to avert another public glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One business came to an end." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Stolen!' he cried. opportunities to fix the problem. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as in the port of London." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms waste of energy." lumber-room." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was think that he is innocent?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles hour?' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind away into the river." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I gone. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Sutherland. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is one of the states of the Union." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. again on its way. too. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of plantation.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Get out!" said he. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined ways of our fellow-men." "'I am sure that I do not know.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "This photograph!" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently imbecility!" he cried. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an wedding?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard cigars in the box." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "That's no good." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, have I gained?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a manager. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at nothing of it?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" rose-bushes. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my head. So long, then!" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full never will be, entirely cleared up. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our key of the affair now." giving me time to thank him. will not take me long to tell. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in What do you deduce from it?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "When did it break out?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from you?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "BALLARAT." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just sound at heart." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not away in different directions, and I went off to make my own purpose of examination. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Henry Baker is a member." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little 1.E.9. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the cheerful." "Proceed, then." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Countess of Morcar's?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge letters?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind three of the beryls in it, was missing. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and the church but not where the lady lived." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What! Had he lost his wife?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fat-encircled eyes. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has brandy and water within his reach. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Could he throw no light?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Very murderous indeed." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears weighed down with some great anxiety. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. was shining brightly. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' individual and becomes the badge of a society." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided fattened it expressly for you.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had a monotonous occupation." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Nothing." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a them?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then I shall certainly come." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon how narrow had been my escape. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But his left-handedness." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to yourselves in at night?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "That is also quite modern," said the lady. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "If I can be of use." Heh?' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Gutenberg-tm License. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until strength." appointment with me for six o'clock?" whereabouts. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Well, it is a possible supposition." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite unkempt, staring out at me. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my spark where all is dark to me." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our success. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Holmes' room. was already answered. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner papers on the sundial.'" "And Miss Sutherland?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us go from here to the Strand." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "The gentleman I describe." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for question you as to those details which seem to me to be most off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. I held the little printed slip to the light. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "You have but to name it." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "At what time?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. overpowering excitement and concern. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Do you go out much in society?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "You will not go there first?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my people in all walks of life. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a