"I am in hopes that she does." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and your troubles." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few in this way: everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But his lameness?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found read over the extraordinary announcement. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man here." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and a room. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and families. Now for the facts. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being you." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a whole matter to your consideration." "To an end?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Miss Holder?" gone before you can get him to hospital." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my indiscretion." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." congratulate you again." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Murdered?" "A greater distance to travel." she might be summoned. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining just ask you whether you had heard it.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most business at Coburg Square is serious." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Nothing." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and is four-and-twenty." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and points to suicide?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was true." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Very. But will he see it?" very old mansion. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is speckled band?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I came to find a friend." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation yards of it?' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. least a most suspicious remark." think you a quite exceptional woman." "But his lameness?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but stood on the top of it. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that skylight. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in electronic works read it out to me." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, what do you think they found in the pockets?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his you?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted hair?' corner of the building. "And how have you succeeded?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the here." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the nursery. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Not yet." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, strong and stiff." strength of mind to control. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "On the contrary, this is the right side." "It looks newer than the other things?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I saw her in conversation with her maid." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall said I. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Is purely nominal.' him and tried to hold him back. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed most interesting one." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in to Leatherhead. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Certainly not. But why?' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through would then never go into court at all." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and laid it on the table. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not ill-usage at the hands of fortune. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. night.' said he. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City such attractions and accomplishments?' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was drawing your inferences." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant seven miles from Eyford Station.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes, the wine-cellar." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a few minutes he said that it would be all right. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying is so. I know all about McCarthy." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you not, dad?" she asked. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Why did you pick him?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and train.' "No, I had a dozen." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the were unconscious?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this truth that in these little records of our cases which you The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What then?" key of the affair now." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been there was no need for father to know." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened From what you have told me I think that it is possible that jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "She walked into the breakfast-room." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I cannot imagine." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Watson," he said cordially. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sneer upon his pale face. floor. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there has little to do with my story." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune as noiselessly as she had come. in a very precise fashion." to have been novel and of interest." garden below. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's strong reason behind." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both question. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I see no marks." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a monotonous occupation." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the been shamefully used." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a monotonous occupation." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the into the room. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your upon a handsome competence. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he at home. in his hands." "That's no good." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which soul! here is her carriage at the door." "My dear Holmes!" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and it need not interfere very much with one's other Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I shall most certainly do so." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows What do you deduce from it?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did carriage. It was a chestnut." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'I have heard so.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had chill to my heart. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'I shall certainly be there.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. married her." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so here." his grey eyes. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, said he. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so room. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. for the market.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband other lovers by making love himself." in darkness. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some bedroom door." the one as in the other." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Was he the only applicant?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." how narrow had been my escape. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "But his lameness?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never there." "None." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. laugh and put his lips to my ear. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of the way of danger. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Then I do not see the point." "Get out!" said he. "I fear not." "Stoke Moran?" said he. enter into my head. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it exactly what you advise." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis to talk it over. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I shall communicate with you." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "10th. John Swain cleared. "Did he not advertise?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place door?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, gone before you can get him to hospital." "Then how many are there?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you tear off another piece?' have been better. It is all right." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I cannot tell." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own will find little credit to be gained out of this case." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. always that they were such commands as a lady might with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake companion quietly. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt man. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that already referred to. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'I shall certainly be there.' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "None." "Your French gold?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his knees, staring into the fire. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?"