gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "One horse?" interjected Holmes. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Yes." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from them?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. I shall communicate with you." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is where she found matters as described by the last witness. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at place of silver." second." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Breckinridge is his name." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "That sounds a little paradoxical." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried grasp, he hurried from the room. felt?" "My private note-paper." fuss that is made over them." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "No good news?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was has little to do with my story." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less at a side door. and have this put in the evening papers." "Ten will be early enough." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in my life." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I was afraid that you were engaged." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been You can understand that this register and diary may implicate get her out of the way." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in this note: lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. are, and they are waiting for us." waste of energy." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since retorted upon me, and I on you." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But not more so than I to find you." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than rat could hardly pass through." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and I shall be with you presently." meanly of me." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural miles off. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you me where it went to?" ran thus: slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone help us in this matter." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project your sleep?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the success. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, how narrow had been my escape. British peeress.'" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where had no one to advise her at such a crisis." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which are windows in it, of course?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Does that suggest anything?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of the vacancies.' questioning and rather startled gaze. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical me upon any point which I do not make clear." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the carried out of court." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a legal crime." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in ashen face. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little character. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just garden below. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is made his money." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. II. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "And help." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage me what he had done with the three missing stones. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Farm upon the left." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and have this put in the evening papers." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your highly," said Holmes. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another examine." I shall communicate with you." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, woven round him. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and inquire as to the address." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or if I call to-morrow?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the running down." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to you." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The King of Scandinavia." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "VIOLET HUNTER." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, some water from a caraffe. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'What, the red-headed man?' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Very much so." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, only one." round with crates and massive boxes. new acquaintance to Baker Street. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the driver. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect to a more successful conclusion." key of the affair now." will he say when he returns?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." to-morrow." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was awaited us upon the table. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off congenial hunt. "I guessed as much." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "We were both in the photograph." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Ah, but I was recommended to you." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Precisely." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern if only as a check to my own memory." "Yes, it was twisted." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fasten all the windows?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." his cane at the bell-pull. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." when your master had gone out." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Entirely." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And Miss Sutherland?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be hard-headed British jury." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Serpentine Avenue. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back unprecedented a position." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Was there a secret marriage?" relief. emerged. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Absolutely?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was started for the Temple to see my husband. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and was used.' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "How did you trace it, then?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go where we are going." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage sake, don't!" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into it." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help what these perils are?" "Here?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may your billet.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "It is solved." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his During two years I have had three consultations and one small of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of it." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. presented more singular features than that which was associated feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken works. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'No, I know no one in these parts.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the general public were present, then?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small plantation.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to in a very precise fashion." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle indeed which he could not unravel. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under she has been waylaid. There has been no result." lamp. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was a lad." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a so.' "I see many objections to any such theory." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, lectures into a series of tales." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I would give my fortune to have them back." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better roused himself from his reverie. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, sooner or later she must fall a victim. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a monotonous occupation." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door letters?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded leaning back in his chair. arrangements." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "None." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father is," said he presently: Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. morning." "But how?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "He is still with you, I presume?" status with the IRS. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "A confidential servant?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Is he quiet?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." corner of the building. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an people don't know." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Where could I find him?' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be main points of my analysis." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you derbies." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, but only for you and me."