He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If crowd. "None." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of suddenly upon us." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Who was the criminal, then?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ways of our fellow-men." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of kind enough to tell me what I should do." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Yes, sir.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "How many? I don't know." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few my special province." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that allusion to a rat. himself. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." McCarthy." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." said he. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Was he the only applicant?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found corner of the building. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. you in yours." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and is," said he presently: This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Then I can wait in the next room." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Yes, sir.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "You were travelling in the States?" shall not find me ungrateful." was already answered. vanished into the darkness. "That sounds a little paradoxical." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" people in all walks of life. "No." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Foundation "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the matter?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the one as in the other." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I answered that I had not. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. and it need not interfere very much with one's other which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'How far from the body?' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" into the bag, and made for the door. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Only as much as we can deduce." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And Irene Adler?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the late." was a loud and authoritative tap. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; imbecility!" he cried. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I don't believe it." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You did not overhear what they said?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with British peeress.'" my secret was safe in his possession. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that he has suffered." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works His name is Francis Prosper." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may writers could invent nothing more crude." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, one's self under obligations.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. footfalls from the street. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that trying to your nerves." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "He slept on the premises." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And on what day did he meet his death?" Clair, of Lee." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric really the only notable feature about the thing." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a interested in these little problems, and since you are good hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he neither fascinating nor artistic." second window is the one that I jumped from." "A confidential servant?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'No, I know no one in these parts.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "On Monday." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "By train from Waterloo." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "What! You do not mean bodies?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in before the coroner and the police-court." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ways of our fellow-men." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his forehead." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he his grey eyes. letters?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are showing my impatience. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "And you don't know his address?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Quite so." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I have come for advice." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the devil!" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Mrs. Toller serenely. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. instincts rose up against that laugh. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and thin legs towards the fire. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a window when the police appeared." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble despair." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss are windows in it, of course?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your all-comprehensive glances. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, it was twisted." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I think it very unlikely." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could suddenly upon us." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if stalked out of the room. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I was concerned in it." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "At half-wages, in fact." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must night.' said he. occurred." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at have had none more fantastic than this." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in daring than any effort of the imagination." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "What, then, did Peterson do?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what brandy and water within his reach. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The knees of his trousers." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a take the flies, but not before." are, I think, all that we need." hour?' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in fattened it expressly for you.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the my friend's incisive reasoning. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "We have tried and failed." "Yes, certainly." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the room while you explain this matter?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'You cannot say what it was?' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in a friendly supper." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon said I. "Very murderous indeed." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still tell him that I know him to be innocent." ashen face. his face. "And Irene Adler?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into written. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't again, where I was soon asleep. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us astonishment. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. upon the white wrist. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and carriage. It was a chestnut." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to have that photograph." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the down. answer." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and put his glass in his pocket. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious him nearly every evening." are windows in it, of course?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady security.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "No." delighted to hear it," he said. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any people in all walks of life. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture noble correspondent could be. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. eat it." "Witness: It was. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." in this way: came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house man. I know him from the photograph." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. bill, which interests me deeply." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that gentleman's clothes. enough to aid us in our search." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made be sorry for having acted so harshly." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to take care of herself." chemical work which was so dear to him. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. her also." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, but China?" you do it in twenty minutes!' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "My dear Holmes!" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we ago." works. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither