"We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Murdered?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their coat-tails." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fishes. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I am still in the dark." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You forget that I know nothing about it." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her me. chair. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to talk it over. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or yet." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught room had already been engaged for us. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and affair. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low forebodings. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At round and wave him away like that.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Absolutely none." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid four million human beings all jostling each other within the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Sholtos." laugh and put his lips to my ear. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get is entirely a question of barometric pressure." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide are, I think, all that we need." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It is true that I have been generally successful." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning heavy and sharp instrument." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full outsides of the windows. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "And leave your case unfinished?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time enough to aid us in our search." "VIOLET HUNTER." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "No, but the enclosure is." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "To ruin me." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Henry Baker is a member." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It is half-past ten now." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Get out!" said he. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to lectures into a series of tales." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some train.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson My friend smiled. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these think that any burglar could have done. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Witness: I must still refuse. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to astonishment. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the driver. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I say that I have solved it." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the coronet at all injured?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she not fit the lock." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "What is it?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Entirely." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all vague figure huddled up in the darkness. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my most interesting one." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I important." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots when you have done it." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "But your client--" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked pictures, libraries, or plate. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. anything to do with the matter?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic pictures, libraries, or plate. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "To the police?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" until night should bring an explanation. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You horrify me." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Did you observe the colour?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Holmes. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make enter Dr. Roylott's room." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the excitement. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I am in hopes that she does." me upon any point which I do not make clear." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive if she died from some sudden fright." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly placed his cuttings. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Of Friday, June 19th." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square events than those which have happened in my own family." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hard-headed British jury." upon the white wrist. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." keep the flames under. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "My dear Holmes!" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'Which dealer's?' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Chief Executive and Director down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "What! a murderous attack?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Certainly." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Where does the thing come from?' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the retorted upon me, and I on you." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six lids now and glanced across at his visitor. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I approached. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, despaired of." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! wanted for ourselves." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And the murderer?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. rose-bushes. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the that he will be back before evening." "And you can do nothing until then?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to new duties?' "Is he quiet?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Never." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Nothing?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Ah!" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them is now desirous of getting those letters back." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." tell me that you intended to go into harness." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, astonishment. already been minutely examined." are, and they are waiting for us." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Proceed, then." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Clair, of Lee." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 'please.'" once more for Briony Lodge. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Mary, has deserted me." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I telegram would bring me down to your help." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, occurred." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so ceremony." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my papers must be those that are destroyed.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." assist you in forming an opinion." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had then?" "I see many objections to any such theory." the tragedy. "Not I." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The