"'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." 'please.'" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord experiences." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in one of the states of the Union." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's fasten all the windows?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This DISSOLVED. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the quickly through a disagreeable task. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled such attractions and accomplishments?' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "But how did you gain them?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Does that suggest anything?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." lectures into a series of tales." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that, and I came down." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and her also." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to way: "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Was she in good spirits?" was not a bird to be seen there. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, about here speaks of his kindness to him." despaired of." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very frequently gained my first real insight into the character of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. wanted for ourselves." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere towards the blaze. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the ceiling. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he your troubles." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible has little to do with my story." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has we went to search for him, face downward in a little "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Here?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Not in a good cause." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "That is easily got." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would charged with?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "It is possible." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of you want, then?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I situation." floor. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon him to go away.' "I should like to see him very much." "'I have heard so.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Yes, at the mines." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she room had already been engaged for us. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" questionable one." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "A confidential servant?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "You are all wrong." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "How long did she speak to this Alice?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You think that he is dead?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "What then?" "I cannot tell." have had none more fantastic than this." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. II. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with affection." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very way in everything. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his mystery." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which instincts rose up against that laugh. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. interest. They are important, you understand, without being reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sofa. This way, please!" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What! You do not mean bodies?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even you." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the deduce something from that?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Dirty?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old cause to be." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as it." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its or other trace. But how on earth--" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid until night should bring an explanation. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich all?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for crime. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." even of instruction." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in a very precise fashion." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And I to find an enemy." later, upon the night of May 2nd." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Surrey." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'Entirely.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But His smile broadened. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. sneer upon his pale face. This is what he says: revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, house for five minutes.' the tragedy. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sufficient punishment." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And what did you see?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Where did he live, then?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the way: "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the questioning and rather startled gaze. page at http://pglaf.org 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "No." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me me, and I could not think that his explanation of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to have that photograph." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and I shall be with you presently." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is gone. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Here?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she was used.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Serpentine Avenue. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the instituted." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got round and wave him away like that.' "Witness: I must still refuse. to have that photograph." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and one else, I think." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for hard-headed British jury." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the very morning of the wedding." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Here?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hopeless attempt at recovering them." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Did your wife hear all this?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I see no marks." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I was concerned in it." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was case-book, which he consulted. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for relief. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Who was the criminal, then?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. towards the blaze. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say on re-entering her father's house?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and back to my heart. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "What then?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it digesting their breakfasts at home." "I shall be delighted." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said confronted him. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and the colonel ushered me in. the loss of it. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much so.' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the coronet at all injured?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Did he not advertise?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, stammered. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached not use it unless it is absolutely needed." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the companion quietly. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great just called myself is not exactly my own." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would next day. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I say that I have solved it." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You respectable self." indeed happy." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not his face. congratulate you again." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. but preventing her from injuring another. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Watson," he said cordially. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the roots. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love were wasted." Serpentine Avenue. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. him." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Which are?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, his knees, staring into the fire. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, see a sister of mine apply for." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has at home. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Again Holmes raved in the air. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "May I see it?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact