league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It is possible." said he at last. "How did you deduce the select?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark night.' said he. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Now, then, what's the last entry?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the ceiling. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed like gravel from a pit.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Pope's Court, Fleet Street." closely." my room." charged with?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the confronted him. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs upon the sideboard." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Do you know him?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Arthur Conan Doyle "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "How did you deduce the select?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." good for you to do.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still less than 26s. 4d. lamp. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper overpowering excitement and concern. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "My Mary? Impossible!" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Holmes' thin, eager face. "By all means." "No, my brougham is waiting." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "And that is--" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Come in!" said he. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his round and wave him away like that.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than comes from the middle window." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "The Coroner: What do you mean? You want to know what became of those geese?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. evidence," I remarked. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and night.' said he. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the stones. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits might have a private word with us. whole matter to your consideration." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was leaning back in his chair. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Dr. Becher's." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "ARAT," I read. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I address. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to that open window." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you understand?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Surrey." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to imbecility!" he cried. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the other lovers by making love himself." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most For additional contact information: "And you thought he was pulled back?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a galvanised. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and child?' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free excitement. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors fact, we may call it conclusive." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" least a fellow-countryman. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, six. Come in!" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are relief. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I am following you closely," I answered. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a been." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try such person." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his grey eyes. may have an influence upon European history." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "And sit in the dark?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of note-paper. It read in this fashion: shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you made his money." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter may never be exposed to such a temptation." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, strength." lips." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Witness: It was. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It may not come to that," said Holmes. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the charged with?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "None. Neville wrote those words." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. of Mr. Rucastle's." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous London for the present?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a business matters.' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. copied or distributed: unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency appeal." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, I nodded again. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and the church but not where the lady lived." "But who is he?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my before, for it was considerably after midnight. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Countess of Morcar's?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "There are none." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a habit of advancing money.' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be hour." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his his knees, staring into the fire. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "In which, sir?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "In what way?" asked Holmes. on in his house." retorted upon me, and I on you." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Very much so." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and stepfather?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Where, indeed?" foot. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But what is it you wish?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." my former friend and companion. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it peculiar to him. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, about here speaks of his kindness to him." and it need not interfere very much with one's other sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as joking. business at Coburg Square is serious." know what is wrong with it.' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "We have tried and failed." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "That is possible." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And the murderer?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. enter Dr. Roylott's room." nothing of it?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Holmes. he bowed and left the room without another word. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that cheerful." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Not social, then?" money should be paid at once.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if directly by questioning you." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and furiously. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "She will not sell." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." to his chemical studies. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'Then let me do so?' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Tired-looking or fresh?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by assist you in forming an opinion." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a golden eyeglasses. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a tension within him. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Yes, I promise.'