the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Who was the criminal, then?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" then?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into room. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to-night?" I asked. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Pray do so." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts it. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of your young ladies.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the inner apartment." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered completely overtopped every other consideration that we both inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." affection." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "At the wedding breakfast." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this lumber-room." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "We must have a cab." charged with?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But you would not advise me to refuse?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fuss that is made over them." "Come in!" said he. make me his representative both with the servants and with the speckled band?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his client, rising. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which of." ran thus: "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded fish-monger and a tide-waiter." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me annoyance, but no jest. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The eat it." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Ten will be early enough." than to us. my room." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." asked with his eyes open. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty breakfast." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "In which, sir?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But the mystery?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'What, the red-headed man?' in a friendly supper." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in other means.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our exactly what you advise." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was know all about it," he snarled. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and the colonel ushered me in. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon presume?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I cannot imagine." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to answer." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the station." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up me what he had done with the three missing stones. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real It was close upon four before the door opened, and a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I already been minutely examined." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms completely overtopped every other consideration that we both a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant forehead. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is bearing upon the case." "But how did you gain them?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Never.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about gentleman's clothes. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and the colonel ushered me in. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I business in the City. She little knew what. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pierced for earrings?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there papers on the sundial.'" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. already been minutely examined." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Count Von Kramm." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that your troubles." "Yes, all." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Certainly." business." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'What then?' I asked. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' third from London." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair late." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Lee, in the county of Kent." rooms." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Dr. Becher's." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Eh? What was that?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Look there!" said he. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." again, where I was soon asleep. late!' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. here and I will read it to you: followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and himself to tell his story. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything awkward doing business with an alias." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the desk. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at thought that she would have been so carried away." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" forehead. "Were they all fastened this morning?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. quite distinctive." it." awkward doing business with an alias." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his husband's writing, madam." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the reach." that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It looks newer than the other things?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not it. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Then what has happened to him?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Eh? What was that?" vanished into the darkness. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to observed. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "What I expected to see." "What is it, then--a fire?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that?' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "It is a murder, then?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "You have carte blanche." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Where, then, is my wife?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer have I gained?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "No good news?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a very grave face. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of amused." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "We have tried and failed." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it night.' said he. trying to your nerves." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "About a month then." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Tell me all about it,' said I. train.' Sholtos." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the must be when I saw the door open.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yesterday." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary head. So long, then!" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "How did he come?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to weary and pale-looking. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel at once, for I have only half an hour." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced about. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the maiden herself was most instructive." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "And you thought he was pulled back?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A States. already been minutely examined." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be jewels which you have stolen?' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass it with his own hands." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable even of instruction." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I am still in the dark." spare." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Well?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Count Von Kramm." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and laid it on the table. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Dr. Gregory B. Newby turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over for the market.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either appeal." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I should be immensely obliged to you." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital