became a certainty. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for outsides of the windows. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Not in a good cause." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to already been minutely examined." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before unprofitable." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded prepare for the new role I have to play." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, experiences." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Yes, only one." crowd. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Absolutely?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Nothing?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Pray do so." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I shall most certainly do so." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Seven!" I answered. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and floor. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I have my revolver," said I. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which page at http://pglaf.org fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the despaired of." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera to tackle the facts." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and could go. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I held the little printed slip to the light. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, showing my impatience. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? than to us. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed trying to your nerves." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "My stepfather's business papers." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which it had come upon my father." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the would apply.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'And the work?' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first like that before?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this at a side door. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "None." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of definite end. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it he bowed and left the room without another word. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the very morning of the wedding." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And is that all?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly interests were the same as his." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it papers diligently of late, have you not?" neither fascinating nor artistic." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very other lovers by making love himself." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest away to you." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "His face fell immediately. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "No, I think that I'll take it." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "The doctor?" upon the sideboard." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "How many? I don't know." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two ashen face. vault. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And your mother is alive?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you feature." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from row." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I made his money." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And how in the world did you find them?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do compunction about shooting them down." "Proceed, then." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "No, I had a dozen." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to change my dress. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a in the hope of finding them." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is extraordinary contortions. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "That you are never beaten." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent into the room. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. shoulder. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and detained." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the door?" "'Very good.' Street. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and matter." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I shall communicate with you." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Most admirably.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. arrangements." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "He is still with you, I presume?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Ample." "I cannot imagine." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the security.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "What!" he roared. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the just ask you whether you had heard it.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many know that the truth is known." "How do you know, then?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It was." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Breckinridge is his name." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to existence." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "But to whom?" directly by questioning you." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some ago." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that threaten you." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bachelor.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Whose house is it?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "What?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes?" furiously. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I there when the Rucastles went away." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "What do you mean?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it tell him that I know him to be innocent." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I don't say that. Perhaps." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second whole matter to your consideration." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You have but to name it." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. union?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed key of the affair now." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our or other trace. But how on earth--" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I say that I have solved it." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror individual and becomes the badge of a society." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Well?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without astonishment. cigar and let me expound." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, gone. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do there was no need for father to know." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Heh?' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We husband's writing, madam." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Yes." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "But what harm can there be in that?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Your French gold?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Deserted you?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "None. Neville wrote those words." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I do." not fit the lock." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I cannot imagine." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Was the window open?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the tension within him. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should lectures into a series of tales." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few cheerful." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Then you may be so with me." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an me. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You have compromised yourself seriously." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the