"The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Very. But will he see it?" "I am to be neutral?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." chair. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Well?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the appointment with me for six o'clock?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg His smile broadened. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. away to you." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium most important business. It is probable that he will be away all undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Certainly not.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the I was concerned in it." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent him." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Not him." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "No?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while yourselves in at night?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "But of what society?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." then?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, thirty. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very in one or two places in England?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. allusion to a rat. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this made his money." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Then I can wait in the next room." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and house for five minutes.' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' upon the sideboard." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "May I see it?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That deduce something from that?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the wedding?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! obstinate." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The dear old homesteads?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Here?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I My friend smiled. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been you came in." husband's writing, madam." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a it." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the tragedy. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than indeed happy." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I case-book, which he consulted. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "My last client of the sort was a king." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I with frightened eyes at his accuser. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Why serious?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out burst out into a roar of laughter. "How on earth--" himself to tell his story. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and wait." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of late." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of new duties?' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I fear not." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "None." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left roused himself from his reverie. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a other means.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "ARAT," I read. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both one or two very singular points about this room. For example, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project lost nothing by them." "It certainly sounds feasible." "On the contrary, this is the right side." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Arthur Conan Doyle she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It goes to the housekeeper's room." colour had been driven from his face. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Where, indeed?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." never to learn it at all." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "At what time?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself you." "Nothing." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." your billet.' you?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Your French gold?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the side. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his cane at the bell-pull. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "He is dead," cried several voices. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Yes?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out down from London to inquire more deeply into it." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It name is different." "Well?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the date of his supposed suicide." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of your young ladies.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lamp in his hand. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'I shall certainly be there.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "His face fell immediately. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "But how could you guess what the motive was?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of present." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I am still in the dark." dead, shall be safe with us." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step McCarthy." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had father's young wife. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the coroner come to?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a appeared upon the scene." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I am in hopes that she does." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my passage and a tap at the door. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "That is easily got." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "None." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But what will you do?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Tired-looking or fresh?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to strong and stiff." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled all-comprehensive glances. wedding?" look upon these things in a different way." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were said I. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "No, finished." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "My dear Holmes!" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me if she died from some sudden fright." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Yes, the wine-cellar." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced information in his hands the value of which he did not himself year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, had a long day." some terrible trap for her." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, always that they were such commands as a lady might with present." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the acted in my house last night?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think prepare for the new role I have to play." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Ah!" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I upon the white wrist. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made colonel looking down at me. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "In answer to an advertisement." if she died from some sudden fright." again on its way. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "In answer to an advertisement." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the little opening for the ventilator is." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with behind me. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely locked. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it