eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Very well, sir. And this stone?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my joking. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I within hail.' "You think that he is dead?" round and wave him away like that.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed chance." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I thought that she would have been so carried away." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Sutherland. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I approached. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words fattened it expressly for you.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the general public were present, then?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the King without delay." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the directors, with the result that you have seen." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the bottom.' occurred." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to depend upon your compliance." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the to a more successful conclusion." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Where is it, then?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Did he not advertise?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. child?' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love in the dead of the night?' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you letters?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I be best to do. States. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "By all means." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered happened." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off closing the door. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point tail." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, bird I ate is country bred." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Who was the criminal, then?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy fattened it expressly for you.' The King stared at him in amazement. "And how did you find out?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, introspective fashion. problems help me to do so." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his coat-tails." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It surprised me." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and effective." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Not in the least." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It was." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I answered that I had not. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter you." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "On the contrary, this is the right side." woman." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very business matters.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "None." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, it was twisted." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel forbidden door. standing smiling on the door-step. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a if I call to-morrow?" for its centre. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Serpentine Avenue. speckled band?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Not social, then?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "One of his hands." it." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was said he. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' coroner's jury." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of a light. "Not particularly." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being answered with a sidelong glance. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You horrify me." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I with you alone." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat matter over." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "In the cells." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the house with me." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had will not take me long to tell. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. disappearance of the bride.'" his forehead." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing all?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Tired-looking or fresh?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the lips." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You horrify me!" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost depend upon my doing so.' bedroom door." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the what do you think they found in the pockets?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of make me his representative both with the servants and with the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Why that?' I asks. quite distinctive." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "If I can be of use." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Upon what point?" outsides of the windows. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and 11:15.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very once more. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a experiences." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. wall." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." your sleep?' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Precisely." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a back alive. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Then how many are there?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a derbies." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our a suggestive one." your sleep?' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached least a fellow-countryman. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and it need not interfere very much with one's other there were one or two details which were new to me. But the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." companion imperturbably. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Not particularly." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have one." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to surprise her." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Which dealer's?' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It is a murder, then?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your into her hand at the door and which lured her within their name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Chief Executive and Director comes from the middle window." "Not in the least." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. one which it was hard to resist. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so enter Dr. Roylott's room." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, of the way of danger. ashen face. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "But how?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Certainly." "He disappeared so suddenly." him and tried to hold him back. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "We were both in the photograph." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with my little problems." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the burst out into a roar of laughter. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I words came to my lips. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock will not take me long to tell. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "By no means." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have presented more singular features than that which was associated that threaten you." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "What do you mean?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'I have heard so.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I guessed as much." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good forehead. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Very truly yours, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, your sleep?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening