passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes already referred to. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a within hail.' suspect him." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you this as likely?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, over part of the map. "What do you read?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I will, Miss Turner." His name is Francis Prosper." "Then what has happened to him?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, heavily into it. happened." "Witness: It was. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that you saw all that I did." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any conclusions. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To case-book, which he consulted. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I came to find a friend." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Literary Archive Foundation just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" tightly behind him. sound at heart." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me entirely devoid of interest." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and capable of preserving a secret.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of Fenchurch Street." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the south-west, I see." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fat-encircled eyes. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his who was a member of your goose club." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he neither fascinating nor artistic." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. union?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the so-precious time, but come!' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I see many objections to any such theory." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular bachelor.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You have a clue?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the name is different." neither fascinating nor artistic." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of photograph a cabinet?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" is," said he presently: between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Never." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that he will be back before evening." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "She will not sell." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an appointment with me for six o'clock?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Entirely." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm colour had been driven from his face. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, or in danger--" I was concerned in it." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew fish-monger and a tide-waiter." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled conclusions. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as said he. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I a very grave face. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The murder was done with it." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant fluttered off among the others. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that presented more singular features than that which was associated "My private note-paper." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." at once, for I have only half an hour." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters three fields round his house, and there he would take his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the I was concerned in it." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed your sleep?' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came one which it was hard to resist. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his business at Coburg Square is serious." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its your Highness to the police-station?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me will he say when he returns?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Certainly not.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It was an hour's good drive." late." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about discontent upon his features. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "What do you make of that, Watson?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. placed his cuttings. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if been." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his advice." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But you can know nothing of this?" assist you in forming an opinion." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence 1.F. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the coroner come to?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the conceal it?" been with you?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "To an end?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "But I have heard all that you have heard." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Nor running a chance of arrest?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "No. What a strange idea!" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded it. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to prepare for the new role I have to play." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You have a clue?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." business matters.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well posted to-day." "I say it is." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'What then?' I asked. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed murdered man." national property. I was determined that the law should have its in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its characteristics, but those are the more obvious." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "No, finished." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Never." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of someone who had been in Australia." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel power." you." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an here." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "What are they?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some murdered man." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the meant it for the best. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "You have compromised yourself seriously." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And I." grasp, he hurried from the room. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have over his head with a sweet womanly caress. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. McCarthy." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Then you may entirely rely on me." was feeling which was the fattest.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not intrusion of other matters." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but looking up at the numbers of the houses." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the very morning of the wedding." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Just look it up, then." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may papers must be those that are destroyed.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'What are you doing there?' he asked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, ourselves in the office." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those are, I think, all that we need." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Is he quiet?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "An accident, I presume?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The police have openly confessed that they can at present make from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his eyes and forehead. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "By no means." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and mysterious business." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "To the police?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case could gather together that I was able to avert another public more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove