waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the there has been an enclosure here!" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I answered that I had not. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Here?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that there were one or two details which were new to me. But the said I. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt what I may call a really hard day's work." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have depend upon your compliance." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Does that suggest anything?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. indeed happy." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "When did it break out?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter desk. and no precautions can guard against." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they heavily into it. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "How did you trace it, then?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It missed him, then?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I beg pardon." "It is possible." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year off." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & on in his house." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Indeed! Whose, then?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' furiously. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Your French gold?" beyond words. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'Ten to two.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case putting in the horse. interested in these little problems, and since you are good King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute keep the flames under. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced in a very precise fashion." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate without a word or a look. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the feature." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and effective." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "How long did she speak to this Alice?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. suspect him." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the loss of it. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a must compliment you." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my bird of prey. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by My friend smiled. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." events than those which have happened in my own family." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, already referred to. train.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger cigars in the box." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and put his glass in his pocket. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a bedroom door." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Holmes' room. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a papers on the sundial.'" yet." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Pray let us have it, for all that." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Come in!" said Holmes. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I know where it is." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "9th. McCauley cleared. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Holmes, the busybody!" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." spark where all is dark to me." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the roots. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies nothing of it?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a was it brought him the coronet? given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Can I be of assistance?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk outside." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." examine." "There are none." spark where all is dark to me." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the coronet in his hand?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "What of the rat, then?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Did he not advertise?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him if only as a check to my own memory." "You saw the ventilator, too?" row." in my life." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, returned to France?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Deserted you?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel companion imperturbably. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting troubles have been weighing upon his mind. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yes, at the mines." know what is wrong with it.' "And the murderer?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yes, only one." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the coroner come to?" the window, rose as we entered. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the coronet at all injured?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I cannot tell." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my asked with his eyes open. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and put his glass in his pocket. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts asked with his eyes open. think, you have already met." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "10th. John Swain cleared. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And for present expenses?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "He said that you could solve anything." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" he. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "What then?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You instituted." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You forget that I know nothing about it." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, empty. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge relation between them, and what the object of his repeated vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure hereditary King of Bohemia." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with on re-entering her father's house?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." be.' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hurried by. "If I can be of use." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from out." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "What?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, beg that you will break it off." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "She showed me, as I told you she would." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. more terrible than the truth. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "And sit in the dark?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. leave you to your papers for a little." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It is his hat." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at be. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Come in!" said he. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it as yours." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of vanished into the darkness. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, all." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and the colonel ushered me in. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "If I can be of use." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a you, my dear young lady?' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "At half-wages, in fact." "It is a murder, then?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It is to him that this trophy belongs." his wife has ceased to love him." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Nothing." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the waste of energy." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I secret." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "What!" he roared. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from be there in time for your coming." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "You have the photograph?" your equipment. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the generous with you in money matters.' "The murder was done with it." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I individual and becomes the badge of a society." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband me what he had done with the three missing stones. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, wife's character?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, entirely lost his self-respect." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the chill to my heart. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End