another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to purpose of examination. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "So I have heard." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "In answer to an advertisement." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And how have you succeeded?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" hereditary King of Bohemia." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "And what did you learn from him?" his huge brown hands. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque there was no need for father to know." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other beyond words. "'Yes, it was gone.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty eavesdroppers?' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, learned something! Where are the gems?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the ceiling. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in hour?' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, disappearance of these gems?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Stolen!' he cried. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by again, where I was soon asleep. "A confidential servant?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'Where could I find him?' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It is half-past ten now." started for the Temple to see my husband. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets washing it down with a long draught of water. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." individual and becomes the badge of a society." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Only as much as we can deduce." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in as the one I chose?' "I was mad--insane." it means?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Yes, only one." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project must be when I saw the door open.' instituted." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "But he might be a bachelor." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "An enemy?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no made him keep the appointment." of a light. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to have that photograph." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to-night?' a suggestive one." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Pray continue your narrative." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' empty. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "What then?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between happened." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But how did you gain them?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at clanging. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he with her." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, the wine-cellar." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "It must be recovered." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The your co-operation." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Were they all fastened this morning?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had upon the shelf for the interim." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Nothing." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "But I have heard all that you have heard." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us was keenly on my guard against him. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed tell him that I know him to be innocent." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as corner of the building. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "No, but the enclosure is." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Which dealer's?' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my arrested. You then--" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a do." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "But his lameness?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an there." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord out." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Proceed, then." "Then I do not see the point." interests were the same as his." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, was keenly on my guard against him. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a crime. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sufficient punishment." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, one else, I think." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled only touch the interest." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I know where it is." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "VIOLET HUNTER." "What steps will you take?" I asked. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he vault. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Heh?' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "She showed me, as I told you she would." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'What, the red-headed man?' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Certainly." http://www.gutenberg.net bird I ate is country bred." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. do." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Did you become engaged then?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Watson," he said cordially. highroad, where all traces were lost. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the bled considerably." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I with you alone." to-night?' following enigmatical notices: Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "No, distinctly professional." "No, I think that I'll take it." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." little adventures." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat manager. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible companion. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges house for five minutes.' "Holmes, the busybody!" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "The Coroner: What do you mean? said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure all?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the brandy and water within his reach. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through for the market.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a least a fellow-countryman. suspect him." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Street. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes, certainly." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over emerged. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." taking in every detail of the apartment. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Does that suggest anything?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. danger is over." learned something! Where are the gems?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the armchair which I pushed forward for him. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes absorbing." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And how did he make his money?" posted to-day." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his someone who had been in Australia." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'I have already given you my word.' "And how did he make his money?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." not come at once?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes, I have one waiting." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, coroner's jury." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have laugh and put his lips to my ear. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque bearing upon the case." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just You can understand that this register and diary may implicate determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague fait accompli?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of really the only notable feature about the thing." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector know that the truth is known." experiences." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence were wasted." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and ways of our fellow-men." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, crime." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I cannot imagine." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tension within him. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to neither fascinating nor artistic." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "And what did you learn from him?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "That is easily got." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to a more successful conclusion." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could away into the river." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All he. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Again Holmes raved in the air.