very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "There are none." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which carpenter." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "When did it break out?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I your most interesting statement." Arthur Conan Doyle of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I am in hopes that she does." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Not social, then?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where detective. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem interests were the same as his." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "And now?" He raised his hand. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "That you are never beaten." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And when will you call?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the morning and make my own way in the world.' to tackle the facts." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of door?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. as yours." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a man. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear whether it answered to the description of any of their "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Really! You surprise me." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you very morning of my second wedding." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box http://www.gutenberg.net "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" upon the white wrist. "A greater distance to travel." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." quickly through a disagreeable task. the coronet at all injured?" bare slabs of marble. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Did your wife hear all this?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had comes from the middle window." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I don't believe it." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at present strange and interesting features that it is no easy could go. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This morning." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our conclusions. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you indeed which he could not unravel. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel gone before you can get him to hospital." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "What is it, then--a fire?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. are, and they are waiting for us." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said despaired of." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the morning and make my own way in the world.' he bowed and left the room without another word. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the crime." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Thank you. Pray proceed." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project knowledge of the world." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Then what has happened to him?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Texas, I think." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake was the fact that his father should, according to his account, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Pray let us have it, for all that." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added carpenter." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Here?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Where, indeed?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper disappearance of the bride.'" your only hope of safety." points to suicide?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that himself to tell his story. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I nodded to show that I had heard. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I should wish to." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "One?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. highroad, where all traces were lost. happened." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been impression behind it as though a window had gently closed thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a relief. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a room. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an hard-headed British jury." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Nearly eleven." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. business in the City. She little knew what. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, child?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Were they all fastened this morning?" words came to my lips. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." II. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" was shining brightly. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Then how many are there?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old wedding?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. go from here to the Strand." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I am in hopes that she does." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My own seal." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, could gather together that I was able to avert another public present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five me have 200 pounds?' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his grasp, he hurried from the room. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" chill to my heart. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will hand, madam?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to in a very precise fashion." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, what these perils are?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Yes, he did." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of him and tried to hold him back. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? directors have had misgivings upon the subject." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was will he say when he returns?" I nodded to show that I had heard. article?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. definite end. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has you?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the devil!" said he. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And the cigar-holder?" "ARAT," I read. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address ran thus: "VIOLET HUNTER." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to take care of herself." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. married her." intrusion of other matters." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed promised to bring home. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my special province." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Very truly yours, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the matter." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "On your arm?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a as the one I chose?' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "One?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might opportunities to fix the problem. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something which we had just quitted. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holmes rather sternly. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now London for the present?" "And how did he make his money?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, call you and give you the chance." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I never have." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer ways of our fellow-men." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "That was it, sir." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: