hereditary King of Bohemia." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic call you and give you the chance." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the loss of it. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Mary, has deserted me." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face perplexity from it to my illustrious client. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." within hail.' someone who had been in Australia." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Did you become engaged then?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had was lame." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Have you it here?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a good for you to do.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "A confidential servant?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step said Mr. Holder. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads posted to-day." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and lost nothing by them." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, will not take me long to tell. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Yes, from Horsham." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune place of silver." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Heh?' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, empty. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." plantation.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "She showed me, as I told you she would." wife's character?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him breakfast?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of the one which your family is now devouring." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other information in his hands the value of which he did not himself equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity against a man in the prime of life?" them present such singular features as the strange train of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from seven miles from Eyford Station.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I cannot say that I have." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban within hail.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that there was nothing in it, after all." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old upon a handsome competence. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an gone before you can get him to hospital." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and throat." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We never to learn it at all." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of security.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old problems help me to do so." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a he bowed and left the room without another word. was feeling which was the fattest.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in little trying to do so much typewriting?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Stolen, then." "To ruin me." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they held up the lantern and gazed about him. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his eyes and forehead. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive strange features which were associated with the two crimes which exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. amused." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." his huge brown hands. "May I see it?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the compunction about shooting them down." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush to talk it over. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Witness: It was. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "In the cells." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "That is possible." "I am in hopes that she does." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Precisely so. But how--" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and inquire as to the address." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "No." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the just called myself is not exactly my own." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "But to whom?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of for the market.' "Of what day?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a if I call to-morrow?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no will be renamed. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, your Highness to the police-station?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "By no means." "Get out!" said he. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger that?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hair?' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but relief. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent promised to bring home. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend was a perfect sample of the class. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and effective." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and inquire as to the address." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "How often?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over over part of the map. "What do you read?" late!' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the that I am arrested." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' better grown goose." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Never.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Watson," he said cordially. three of the beryls in it, was missing. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and the church but not where the lady lived." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, as noiselessly as she had come. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 'I should be able to look after that for you.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You think so, too?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice photograph?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "In answer to an advertisement." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I see many objections to any such theory." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the off." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he infinite languor in his face. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for spare." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head himself. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I never have." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hereditary King of Bohemia." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see enter Dr. Roylott's room." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the night.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in there!' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I am in hopes that she does." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I were new raised from a basin. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already door?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to his chemical studies. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the salesman. derbies." ourselves in the office." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a shall not find me ungrateful." you." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with nonsense.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that he has suffered." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but passage and a tap at the door. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You saw the ventilator, too?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house was shining brightly. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the salesman. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Never to return." "And now?" He raised his hand. cost them two and thirty pounds." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Where to?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his system of imprisonment?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" she used." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Have you her photograph?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Indeed! Whose, then?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, bare slabs of marble. trifles." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Certainly." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his himself in a perplexing position. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed excitement. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman any more." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly been anything against him. He had for years been known as a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." detective. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hopeless attempt at recovering them." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly I am not easy in my mind about them." asked with his eyes open. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Oh, yes, easily." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed kindly on the shoulder. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and inquire as to the address." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Literary Archive Foundation