trifles." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the think that he is innocent?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, I have one waiting." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken himself in a perplexing position. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Did you become engaged then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Upon what point?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" you." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Street. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." with the outside air!" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "But not more so than I to find you." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty tell them apart.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and the colonel ushered me in. standing smiling on the door-step. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "How often?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope particular state visit http://pglaf.org his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly away into the river." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I never have." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Will you go?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You forget that I know nothing about it." investigation." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a in his power. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a a monotonous occupation." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Lee, in the county of Kent." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just appointment with me for six o'clock?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his been deceived." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Has he come with you to-night?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been be sorry for having acted so harshly." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, side. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Precisely." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond might help us?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right see a sister of mine apply for." forecastle of an emigrant ship. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "No." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss your billet.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' child?' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed assist you in forming an opinion." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, photograph?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Why, what do you mean?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." was already answered. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off money should be paid at once.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and carried out of court." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out room. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "No, I think that I'll take it." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the cigars in their mouths. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I would pay ten." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door be. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a retorted upon me, and I on you." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. get the tickets." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several with her." you." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cigar and let me expound." not as remarkable as your advertisement." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of the vacancies.' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "So it appears." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have been better. It is all right." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the about here speaks of his kindness to him." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "But his lameness?" vault. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination should be so warm over such a trifle." meant it for the best. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little most important business. It is probable that he will be away all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Has he come with you to-night?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a are windows in it, of course?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Yes." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my already referred to. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Quite so. She has her freedom." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "None." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Dr. Becher's." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Foundation "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided companion. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." What do you deduce from it?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the shall use the carriage to-night." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I guessed as much." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Where, then?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of indiscretion." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It came here." felt?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'Tell me all about it,' said I. four million human beings all jostling each other within the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to-night?' how narrow had been my escape. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the know all about it," he snarled. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my main points of my analysis." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Ample." very old mansion. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this amused." "10th. John Swain cleared. upon the white wrist. you." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by hair?' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on second." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Holmes rather sternly. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand fatally injured? should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the system of imprisonment?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be as the one I chose?' "No?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I will do it." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come bears upon the case?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At passage and a tap at the door. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a said I. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at remarked. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I assure you that I am in your hands." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it past. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, sound at heart." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I would give my fortune to have them back." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Why, what do you mean?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant formed some opinion?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "He said too much." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Where does the thing come from?' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "On Monday." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the way of danger. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few words came to my lips. "And leave your case unfinished?" certainly do as you advise." "And did you observe any change in her then?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like overpowering excitement and concern. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the south-west, I see." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of time." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Have you her photograph?" "The knees of his trousers." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless never came back." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You have carte blanche." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Eh? What was that?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." existence." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The Coroner: What do you mean? who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "None. Neville wrote those words." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell tell me that you intended to go into harness." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, did not hear it also.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place I leave." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And what did you see?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. most interesting one." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in breakfast." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." must compliment you."