not interfere, come what may. You understand?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'What then?' I asked. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. asked. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your murdered man." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped sofa. This way, please!" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And did you observe any change in her then?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried indeed happy." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it had died away into the silence from which it rose. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of introspective fashion. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I think that I could be of assistance to you." "A client, then?" "Here?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come would then never go into court at all." "Nothing?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to second window is the one that I jumped from." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked are, I think, all that we need." main points of my analysis." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "That you are never beaten." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the little opening for the ventilator is." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on useful material for showing traces. The double line a little tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little a very grave face. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the becomes even more simple." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is your sleep?' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Leadenhall Street--and--" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective friends, not even his own brother. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'What do you call purely nominal?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' fear." Have you good authority for what you say?" that threaten you." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, visitors." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "No, my brougham is waiting." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little drawing your inferences." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the dangers which encompass me." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Here?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'There is a drive, then?' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and standing smiling on the door-step. instincts rose up against that laugh. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that to have been novel and of interest." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "That is it on the dressing-table." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the invisible to me," I remarked. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "The vanishing of the lady." depend upon my doing so.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will to tackle the facts." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I page at http://pglaf.org "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. stepfather?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "How are you getting on?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the King without delay." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "What then?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a fattened it expressly for you.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which case-book, which he consulted. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Holmes rather sternly. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the that he has suffered." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I lamp in his hand. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into You can understand that this register and diary may implicate those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you side. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I have seen the police." persecution?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on ordinary clothes on?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You are hungry," I remarked. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter shaken than I had ever seen him. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the room while you explain this matter?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of I have it here in my museum." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I were wasted." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was up this clue while it is still hot." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I don't believe it." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend row." directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is his hat." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would second window is the one that I jumped from." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was fear." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking plantation.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I persecution?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that you saw all that I did." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Where to?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Yes. He waved his hands." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate is worth.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather imbecility!" he cried. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I shall be delighted." "My Mary? Impossible!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "How on earth--" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "What shall I do?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I promise," said Holmes. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in when you have done it." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Then, how do you know?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Farm upon the left." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Have you it here?" Literary Archive Foundation papers diligently of late, have you not?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Frequently." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn do.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat his huge brown hands. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." visitors." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "He might." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," you understand?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Yes, that is the Crown." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." overpowering excitement and concern. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the King without delay." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to a light-house. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the have an American origin." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a results." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw case before our client came into the room." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a closing the door. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself ran thus: defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe lids now and glanced across at his visitor. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to face and glided from the room. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to-night's adventure." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "VIOLET HUNTER." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It is very clear." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish you." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I his huge brown hands. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of clang of the bell. followed. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in fatally injured? thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have mystery." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with their singular warning or token before them when starting upon If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'And the work?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions think that he is innocent?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. green of the new foliage. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence one of the states of the Union." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes, sir." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they with the outside air!" of campaign. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the this unhappy family?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the matter?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face question. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and prosperity to your house. Good-night." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side more solid." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some asked. good for you to do.' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man means taking possession of that which another person has a prior 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to present." "At what time?" have I gained?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that I am arrested." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry yourselves in at night?" secret."