infinite languor in his face. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." himself. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for locked. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the woman." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that you wished to speak to me?' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the been shamefully used." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. locked. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Of what?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the little trying to do so much typewriting?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" thin legs towards the fire. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I will, Miss Turner." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I stood on the top of it. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. bachelor.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "It was." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that, and I came down." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "That you are never beaten." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to said he. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a kindly on the shoulder. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Then the page we have seen--" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated one of them." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. situation." delighted to hear it," he said. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never hopeless attempt at recovering them." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that threaten you." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned with you alone." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else strong and stiff." and the colonel ushered me in. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and quick march!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." eavesdroppers?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And how did he make his money?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "She will not sell." I held the little printed slip to the light. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others criminal. We have already had experience of such." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated some mystery and the punishment of some crime." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "The Coroner: What do you mean? which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock evidence," I remarked. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" through." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I a monotonous occupation." and the whole place is in a blaze." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I will not look." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the must be when I saw the door open.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it with his own hands." breakfast?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. village inn over there?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from anything to do with the matter?" "How about poison?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "We were both in the photograph." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor 11:15.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It was an hour's good drive." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of himself to hunt down. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "The Coroner: What do you mean? the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a occurred." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his face. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position strength of mind to control. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the general public were present, then?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Imitated." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of unkempt, staring out at me. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the date of his supposed suicide." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that he will be back before evening." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Her father is very rich?" even of instruction." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "But to whom?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And how in the world did you find them?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I pierced for earrings?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired my former friend and companion. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Certainly,' I answered. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, grasp, he hurried from the room. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor assist you in forming an opinion." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I with the outside air!" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. gbnewby@pglaf.org engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently During two years I have had three consultations and one small common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only have I gained?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the station." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "No. What a strange idea!" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I cannot say that I have." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you in your example." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the there has been an enclosure here!" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than nights." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "How do you know, then?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "What are they?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I look upon these things in a different way." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I approached. that you saw all that I did." My friend smiled. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as your troubles." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Yes, I promise.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had people in all walks of life. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and effective." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying taking in every detail of the apartment. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He chance at all." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And I say east," said my patient. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you for a few hours?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another unkempt, staring out at me. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are unclasping of his long thin hands. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Ten will be early enough." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on tear off another piece?' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet noting anything else of interest. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his very morning of my second wedding." quickly through a disagreeable task. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which less than 26s. 4d. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he geese which you supplied to the Alpha." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "So I have heard." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the any more." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have got?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and said I. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual arrangements." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a round and wave him away like that.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a grasp, he hurried from the room. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have manager. "But what harm can there be in that?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in this way: the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to maid will bring up your coffee." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit rose-bushes. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "By all means." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at nothing with him." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I never have." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Why serious?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might License. You must require such a user to return or "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. morning." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel had a long day." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you