it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "This concluded the examination of the witness." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Ha! you find it so?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there meant." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Street. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and have this put in the evening papers." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a tied." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been written, and locked the door of the office after me. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me served to weaken the effect. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Really! You surprise me." entirely devoid of interest." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "But of what society?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a crackling voice. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would it." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "No." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "How did that help you?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ways including including checks, online payments and credit card something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fluttered off among the others. "ARAT," I read. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the matter." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Entirely." "A call for help, you thought?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "He said that you could solve anything." "I say that I have solved it." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the house with me." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great away into the river." upon the sideboard." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to Leatherhead. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fishes. occurred." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at *** START: FULL LICENSE *** recall any case within my experience which looked at the first places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Again Holmes raved in the air. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me crime." States. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. infinite languor in his face. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just minor matters until to-morrow." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'What, the red-headed man?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. your sleep?' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Was she in good spirits?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here which was all perfectly true. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "And how did you find out?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It where we are going." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And you thought he was pulled back?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the dangers which encompass me." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which troubles have been weighing upon his mind. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'As governess?' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Not in the least." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the business." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better careless servant girl?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are least a most suspicious remark." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "That sounds a little paradoxical." the date of his supposed suicide." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to tell." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms footfalls from the street. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the loss of it. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of trifles." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Nothing?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "My stepfather's business papers." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. II. Holmes' thin, eager face. "Not in a good cause." "Yes, certainly." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to tell." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my stammered. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "But how?" his forehead." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from must be when I saw the door open.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to-night." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Yes." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen outsides of the windows. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in success. brain must have something in it." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which better in every way that they should make their position a little treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of photograph?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And who is her maid?" him." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest there has been an enclosure here!" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I say it is." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we at once, for I have only half an hour." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which over here." forehead. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "None." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "So it appears." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third passage and a tap at the door. new duties?' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was as yours." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was a loud and authoritative tap. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have might help us?" if I call to-morrow?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "And sit in the dark?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that I am arrested." "Breckinridge is his name." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure good for you to do.' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "My own seal." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "How on earth--" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." coat-tails." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "My dear Holmes!" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And the murderer?" This is what he says: possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good believe that I should never have any practice at all. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed behind me. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." I leave." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Watson," he said cordially. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is where we are going." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. village inn over there?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" in a friendly supper." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to affect your life." "Where, then?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Whose house is it?" "I fear not." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with disappearance of the bride.'" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project grasp, he hurried from the room. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my was keenly on my guard against him. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the tragedy. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "And why?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was annoyance, but no jest. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his cane at the bell-pull. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I fear not." emerged. indeed which he could not unravel. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to that open window." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with corner of the building. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. with you?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "How did you trace it, then?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the be there in time for your coming." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "We must have a cab." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I never have." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for strong reason behind." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Proceed, then." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of unprecedented a position." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Gutenberg-tm License. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round woven round him. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman unkempt, staring out at me. "Then the page we have seen--" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the four million human beings all jostling each other within the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his where we are going." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a pierced for earrings?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'Where to?'