or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the ashen face. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. presented more singular features than that which was associated o'clock is it?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, some terrible trap for her." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "At the wedding breakfast." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, hand, madam?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did investigation." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of problems help me to do so." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "And you thought he was pulled back?" stood on the top of it. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I would give my fortune to have them back." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. had this final quarrel? impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem coat-tails." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It is a murder, then?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Where to?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he matter over." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his evidence," I remarked. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and salesman. manager. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he you give your casting vote to?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I hardly wander." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Of what day?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very been shamefully used." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing DAMAGE. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the driver. Holmes." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its cup of tea. three of the beryls in it, was missing. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been highly," said Holmes. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of campaign. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. plantation.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Which are?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of horse could go." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at together. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "None." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I people in all walks of life. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying which our visitor detailed to us. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sufficient punishment." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other case-book, which he consulted. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his noble correspondent could be. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There there in twenty minutes." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two know what is wrong with it.' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I think that I could be of assistance to you." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Never,' said I. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, know all about it," he snarled. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was lame." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "And sit in the dark?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "How did you trace it, then?" entirely lost his self-respect." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a paper in the air. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable purpose of examination. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I go from here to the Strand." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And you don't know his address?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Arthur Conan Doyle thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email already referred to. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than DISSOLVED. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Well." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Then I do not see the point." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need are, and they are waiting for us." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and put his glass in his pocket. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you take the flies, but not before." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella even of instruction." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Yes." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Miss Holder?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No more words. Get out!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and him, that man would not have given me such complete information when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a congenial hunt. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Heh?' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he secret." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And why?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me where it went to?" advice." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all for the market.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my business?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and have this put in the evening papers." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Munro.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Well, but China?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" get her out of the way." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sake, don't!" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker be best to do. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to-night?" I asked. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Certainly." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of it with the greatest attention. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." in darkness. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Yes, it was gone.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from light and attacked it." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then, how do you know?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon very old mansion. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, legal crime." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. directors, with the result that you have seen." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And on what day did he meet his death?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always was feeling which was the fattest.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was I shall continue with my miserable story. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms questionable one." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of the efforts of the United States government and of the better without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of this gang." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the during that time.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Nothing?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But what will you do?" some water from a caraffe. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more whereabouts. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Nothing." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I shall be delighted." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the went to the Alpha were town bred." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are at my own good fortune. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. I shall continue with my miserable story. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of your young ladies.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I have seen the police." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was such person." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "What will you do, then?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project this remarkable episode. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I rat could hardly pass through." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, plantation.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, himself to tell his story. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have are, and they are waiting for us." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Married! When?" "I think it very unlikely." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down was once confined in the cab my mission was practically there was no need for father to know." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the matter?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I approached. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my keep the flames under. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was legal crime." ways of our fellow-men." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Where does the thing come from?' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who your sleep?' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One his huge brown hands. hands. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. she might be summoned. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim.