made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Oh, yes, easily." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous call you and give you the chance." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Mary, has deserted me." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and your relations to her." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Yes, sir.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age very morning of my second wedding." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the date of his supposed suicide." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "On the contrary, this is the right side." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only rat could hardly pass through." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. cheerful." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, meant it for the best. "Yes." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'What, the red-headed man?' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your corner of the building. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Holmes." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of power." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "He said too much." never to learn it at all." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Yes, sir.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. him!" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." even so self-evident a thing as that." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he developed." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that sofa. This way, please!" "I came to find a friend." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hopeless attempt at recovering them." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" too. coat-tails." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Pray continue your narrative." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I cannot imagine." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered will not take me long to tell. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single have I gained?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper undoubtedly my uncle's." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Chief Executive and Director hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You have a clue?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches suspect him." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was keenly on my guard against him. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have works. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. do." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a up this clue while it is still hot." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Then I can wait in the next room." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round three fields round his house, and there he would take his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't man. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that?' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, you." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new it means?" redistribution. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "What, then?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared night.' said he. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "It's nothing of the kind." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all from the brougham. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "From his hat?" "I have my revolver," said I. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Yes, it was twisted." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His desk. "But to whom?" hurried away. corner of the building. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over problems help me to do so." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "No, I think that I'll take it." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "It is very kind of you." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a know what is wrong with it.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, present." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible where Mr. Fordham shows you.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of a light. of this gang." had picked up in the wood. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "It surprised me." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday written. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "That also I could fathom." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send fait accompli?" not, dad?" she asked. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I don't say that. Perhaps." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the redistribution. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and against a man in the prime of life?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes, from Horsham." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Was she in good spirits?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Can I be of assistance?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a legal crime." derbies." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be handed it to him. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a could not have written that. It is the German who is so directors, with the result that you have seen." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending threw himself down with his face to the pillow. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to miles off. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that laugh and put his lips to my ear. was feeling which was the fattest.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Whose house is it?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hurried away. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ventilator." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable flock.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the bed, and you in that chair." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the my room." at my remark. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let other lovers by making love himself." outside." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "He is still with you, I presume?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Pope's Court. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be side. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest matters immensely." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "And your mother is alive?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I sound at heart." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was quick march!" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Then, how do you know?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From signal between you and your father? "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in said he. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "My photograph." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I came to find a friend." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, call for it in person on Monday morning.' donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "VIOLET HUNTER." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He might." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I say that I have solved it." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, nights." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the bird of prey. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Proceed, then." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely there!' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of stalked out of the room. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Not social, then?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked conclusions. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions imbecility!" he cried. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded you came in." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I cannot think." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Pool. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is half-past ten now." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "At half-wages, in fact." about. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very happened." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the