makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I was concerned in it." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and felt?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the night.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had very old mansion. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack are, I think, all that we need." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my when your master had gone out." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of made his money." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the a little more before I quite committed myself. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "An accident, I presume?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "And help." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Not him." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to arrive at through this?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No more words. Get out!" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the address that was given us in the advertisement. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last again before evening." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away papers must be those that are destroyed.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the coroner come to?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the happened." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, here and I will read it to you: "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But she will refuse." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "He said too much." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it delirious. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew with you alone." "I think it very unlikely." "Certainly." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge placed his cuttings. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Why did you beat the pavement?" at my remark. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It is very kind of you." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then just called myself is not exactly my own." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. seven miles from Eyford Station.' I leave." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and have this put in the evening papers." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged trying to your nerves." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. friends, not even his own brother. attention." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to situation." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Who was the criminal, then?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most John Swain, of St. Augustine. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Munro.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never served to weaken the effect. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the loss of it. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper do.' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing are, I think, all that we need." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who swore that no one else had been in the front room during the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You'll never persuade me to believe that." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon My friend smiled. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But his left-handedness." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cup of tea. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And how have you succeeded?" of campaign. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Nothing?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as stammered. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend wife's character?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "But who is he?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they from the brougham. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, house for five minutes.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive habit of advancing money.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "You don't mind breaking the law?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell security.' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded if only as a check to my own memory." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I was certainly surprised to find you there." have accepted such a situation. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the driver. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is even so self-evident a thing as that." she might be summoned. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "It's nothing of the kind." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles least a most suspicious remark." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And leave your case unfinished?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the date of his supposed suicide." "Was the window open?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the nursery. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Where did he live, then?" "Certainly." already been minutely examined." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend promised to bring home. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the did not hear it also.' "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Yes, it was gone.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not asked. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all which we had just quitted. people don't know." "I am following you closely," I answered. be there in time for your coming." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not if only as a check to my own memory." "So I am. Very much so." "Ha! you find it so?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about morning." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur easy-going way." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." at my remark. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, way: drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'Quite sure, dad.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I respectable self." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab them present such singular features as the strange train of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot himself to tell his story. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I have come for advice." "His face fell immediately. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you in yours." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little man. I know him from the photograph." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I am all attention, madam." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Yes. He waved his hands." even of instruction." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand attention." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "But of what society?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she as noiselessly as she had come. "Yes." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a forbidden door. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with floor. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the certainly do as you advise." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter horse could go." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Yesterday." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." is," said he presently: details." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and 1.F. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and helping a boy to put up the shutters. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, fatally injured? happened." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the south-west, I see." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and what these perils are?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the matter." matter." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "And now?" He raised his hand. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying himself to tell his story. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Not in the least." "But not more so than I to find you." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Why did you beat the pavement?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of you." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "And how did you verify them?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I cannot think." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, them, and came down just as you departed. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the again." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Then he might have called to you?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the go back?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Where did you address your letters, then?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg bearing upon the case." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." disturbance in my wife." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what mysterious end." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in said he. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this