"Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. writer." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Oh, fresh and glossy." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was already answered. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Very murderous indeed." "I have solved it." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black laugh and put his lips to my ear. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he colour had been driven from his face. bell. Holmes whistled. bird of prey. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'As governess?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I records." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little of Mr. Rucastle's." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the room while you explain this matter?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I politicians who had been sent down from the North. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle dear old homesteads?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bird of prey. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'There is a drive, then?' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of a room. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Precisely." "'Never.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Stoke Moran." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the coronet in his hands?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "What?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is looking up at the numbers of the houses." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it chair. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Her father is very rich?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Yes, sir.' himself in a perplexing position. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. see me here to avoid scandal." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Here?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I cannot say that I have." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to been deceived." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my giving me time to thank him. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there opened the door, and slipped through. "Did your wife hear all this?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow country, and eventually married, without anyone having a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged out of this horrible affair." "A confidential servant?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, him to be an active member of the medical profession." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' McCarthy." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I cannot imagine." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. for the market.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Certainly,' I answered. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he as this. Pray let me have the details." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sake, don't!" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing bed dies. Does not that strike you?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'Yes, I promise.' would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It must be recovered." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Really! You surprise me." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Why that?' I asks. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "No sign of it?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the least a most suspicious remark." said he. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was ago." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing tension within him. prepare for the new role I have to play." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who morning." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had papers must be those that are destroyed.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. may never be exposed to such a temptation." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing eat it." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence never came back." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them where Mr. Fordham shows you.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Yes, it was gone.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to-morrow." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But how will you look?" "Thank you. And your address?" and your relations to her." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "No, but the enclosure is." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened someone who had been in Australia." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it highly," said Holmes. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." important." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without soul! here is her carriage at the door." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "My own seal." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it it. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "By train from Waterloo." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll respectable self." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to served to weaken the effect. "The Coroner: What do you mean? and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of room?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and galvanised. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the secret." man. I know him from the photograph." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. morning." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "The knees of his trousers." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to a light-house. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a forehead. Holmes." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I say that I have solved it." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to happened." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I saw her in conversation with her maid." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Is purely nominal.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter infinite languor in his face. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "And sit in the dark?" ventilator." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. like gravel from a pit.' neither fascinating nor artistic." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Of what?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "There is the writing." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door if only as a check to my own memory." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her burst out into a roar of laughter. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent woven round him. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "My private note-paper." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, DAMAGE. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a very grave face. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you interested in these little problems, and since you are good and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Why? What do you mean?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Holmes. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And the murderer?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the so-precious time, but come!' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. murdered man." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Texas, I think." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than you give your casting vote to?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But it has twice been burgled." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you understand?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Why did you pick him?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. together. "He slept on the premises." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a fled together." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the you understand?" crowd. questionable one." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Sholtos." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "But you can know nothing of this?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our excitement. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and some terrible trap for her." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son there!' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman way in everything. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were answer." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my even of instruction." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for sufficient punishment." man. "And I say east," said my patient. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I guessed as much." him!" one of the states of the Union." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains done what I asked you, Jones?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building bachelor.' her also." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the acted in my house last night?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy call for protection in the marriage market, for the present interest. They are important, you understand, without being sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And your mother is alive?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in,