of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I leave." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At this man was intellectual?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few fishes. "I beg pardon." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for get the tickets." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "The Cedars?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was You can understand that this register and diary may implicate do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." believe that I should never have any practice at all. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "You are all wrong." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three unclasping of his long thin hands. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding pound a week." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback main points of my analysis." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Very good.' leaning back in his chair. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else there." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Yes." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father your Highness to the police-station?" better grown goose." beg that you will break it off." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a extraordinary contortions. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the overpowering excitement and concern. "I beg pardon." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will my room." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "In heaven's name, what for?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies results." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "She will not sell." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, it is a possible supposition." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the colonel looking down at me. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the copied or distributed: do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that I am arrested." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And now?" He raised his hand. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "That is not always so easy." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to father's young wife. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently prisoner's face. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during as noiselessly as she had come. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Has he come with you to-night?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her careless servant girl?" was lame." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "When did it break out?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little gone. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But what will you do?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel troubles have been weighing upon his mind. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling never to learn it at all." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." out." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Why that?' I asks. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." business in the City. She little knew what. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I would pay ten." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Where did you address your letters, then?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while it with his own hands." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I answered that I had not. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far said he. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It is half-past ten now." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "And I." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a suddenly upon us." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes' thin, eager face. His smile broadened. "But of what society?" "Dr. Becher's." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "What will you do, then?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Stolen." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do as he remarks, very much against the son." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they walking." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "He said that you could solve anything." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I back alive. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood ready to-morrow?' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in important." have established a very serious case against the son of the comes from the middle window." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had died away into the silence from which it rose. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. face and glided from the room. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one emerged. Does that suggest anything?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very me upon any point which I do not make clear." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain when your master had gone out." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Ah, but I was recommended to you." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Precisely so. But how--" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I interested in these little problems, and since you are good by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all will find little credit to be gained out of this case." little adventures." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Literary Archive Foundation stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a what these perils are?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning had no one to advise her at such a crisis." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? him to go away.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the I shall communicate with you." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be searched, without anything being found which could incriminate where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy was keenly on my guard against him. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord unprofitable." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' ventilator." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young acquaintance?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And how did you find out?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind populous neighbourhood." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are events than those which have happened in my own family." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "That is not always so easy." in my life." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I guessed as much." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "What! You do not mean bodies?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may call you and give you the chance." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of Mr. Rucastle's." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and have this put in the evening papers." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I beg pardon." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and said Mr. Holder. for securing the situation." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I have seen the police." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." strength in the others." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Breckinridge is his name." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. light and attacked it." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "What do you mean?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "And what did you see?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "No, I had a dozen." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then upon a handsome competence. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea there were one or two details which were new to me. But the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the house with me." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips used to be." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in suddenly upon us." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able mysterious end." "And how in the world did you find them?" the inner apartment." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the everything which you would wish to know." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the cost them two and thirty pounds." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Yes?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had back alive. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which ago." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is carried out of court." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'What, the red-headed man?' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own records." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "It certainly sounds feasible." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, your own bird, so if you wish--" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand matter." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Is he quiet?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I guessed as much." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You horrify me." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "You horrify me!" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Have you her photograph?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." lectures into a series of tales." are windows in it, of course?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "No more words. Get out!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his brain must have something in it." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far it." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, despair." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very developed." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's when you have done it." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "But you were on a friendly footing?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Where, indeed?" Holmes' thin, eager face. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it memory. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to was keenly on my guard against him. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark was a lad." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it