off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my which was all perfectly true. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual yourselves in at night?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the mysterious end." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I away to you." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the will be renamed. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, matter." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It is very clear." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Young McCarthy must be got off, however." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My it were putty." "But what will you do?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'There is a drive, then?' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." indiscretion." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion unprecedented a position." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be writing, and yet I know it well." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they hour?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, definite end. "It is very kind of you." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Then I can wait in the next room." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "What shall I do?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more depend upon your compliance." "'Which dealer's?' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." window when the police appeared." our word." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my few hundred pounds.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Yes, it was gone.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood McCarthy's innocence. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to empty. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with never will be, entirely cleared up. himself. "Entirely." cigar and let me expound." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between threw himself down with his face to the pillow. opened the door, and slipped through. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. flock.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to joking. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that?' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the this remarkable episode. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Then you may be so with me." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the an introduction to him?" "Get out!" said he. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I was concerned in it." money should be paid at once.' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Cross for the Continent." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not success. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Then the page we have seen--" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" prisoner's face. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "He slept on the premises." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of Fenchurch Street." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter spark where all is dark to me." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Nothing." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in British peeress.'" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "You are all wrong." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. disappearance of these gems?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery from you?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "We have tried and failed." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." acted in my house last night?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt me have 200 pounds?' "Get out!" said he. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits suspect him." "Entirely." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his past. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "From his hat?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "None." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the coronet in his hand?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me helping a boy to put up the shutters. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes, he did." stammered. province." attention." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her breakfast?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP opportunities to fix the problem. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him forbidden door. "It is possible." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "To an end?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Absolutely none." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "How about poison?" sake, don't!" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' into the bag, and made for the door. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table once more. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "The rest you will leave in our hands." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so since then to throw any light upon what became of him." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the driver. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the inquest, and which are worth considering." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "No." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "It was." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait status with the IRS. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My appeared upon the scene." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is a monotonous occupation." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And Miss Sutherland?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria my special province." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and wait." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No, I think that I'll take it." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the date of his supposed suicide." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, mystery may be cleared along those lines." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a companion quietly. "And I to find an enemy." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I cannot imagine." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Miss Holder?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many enter into my head. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the one's self under obligations.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Witness: I must still refuse. was shining brightly. "That was it, sir." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest over part of the map. "What do you read?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace is now desirous of getting those letters back." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the back into the street. will be renamed. "I will do it." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so know that the truth is known." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up said Mr. Holder. shall not find me ungrateful." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at said he. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "To an English lawyer named Norton." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all quickly through a disagreeable task. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me new duties?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet a room. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil husband's writing, madam." and I shall be with you presently." "'Yes, it was gone.' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still results." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the when you have done it." "Nothing?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have present." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the matter?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the Assizes." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Very good.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the crime." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It surprised me." know that the truth is known."