to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which bird of prey. morning." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too from you?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies not within a twentieth part of the market price." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "The murder was done with it." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in his power. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the roots. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Yes, sir.' posted to-day." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "The gentleman I describe." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that vanished into the darkness. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Certainly not.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not highroad, where all traces were lost. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at be there in time for your coming." been shamefully used." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Your sister is dead, then?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "It came here." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Certainly not. But why?' drove away. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do just called myself is not exactly my own." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with enter Dr. Roylott's room." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of fine shops and stately business premises that they really later, upon the night of May 2nd." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Then, as to money?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day have been better. It is all right." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there!' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "What will you say?" "Imitated." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works never came back." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'And the work?' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. brain must have something in it." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Street. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I have it here in my museum." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'And what salary do you ask?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I have solved it." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to tackle the facts." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new chemical work which was so dear to him. not come at once?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Count Von Kramm." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' in darkness. even so self-evident a thing as that." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance province." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in this way: "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be more terrible than the truth. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "What is it?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To you." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles 1.E.9. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts gbnewby@pglaf.org saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to-night." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their excitement. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And what then?" page at http://pglaf.org "And I say east," said my patient. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked without a word or a look. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "And I say east," said my patient. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual stammered. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come upon a handsome competence. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You have compromised yourself seriously." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is entirely a question of barometric pressure." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'I am sure that I do not know.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Pray continue your narrative." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Where did he live, then?" for its centre. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "My opinion is in no way altered." generous with you in money matters.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lectures into a series of tales." been with you?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at putting in the horse. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "But how did you gain them?" this man was intellectual?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm For additional contact information: river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to-night?" I asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced business?" "No." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "By train from Waterloo." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her carried out of court." "And help." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** upon a handsome competence. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in noble correspondent could be. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had tapping his fingers upon the table. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must breakfast." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge you do it in twenty minutes!' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke man. I know him from the photograph." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'What would be the hours?' I asked. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'What are you doing there?' he asked. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "How many? I don't know." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When best detective that ever lived. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Get out!" said he. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Yes, the wine-cellar." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "She will not sell." habit of advancing money.' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, introspective fashion. night.' said he. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her power." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to-night?' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I page at http://pglaf.org feature." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight yourselves in at night?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my sake, don't!" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Quite so." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have notes," he said. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck go back?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to keep the flames under. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we ceremony." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for His name is Francis Prosper." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that public press." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg be sorry for having acted so harshly." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." unclasping of his long thin hands. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Not particularly." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I answered that I had not. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man papers diligently of late, have you not?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and papers must be those that are destroyed.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "But not more so than I to find you." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "She will not sell." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't nothing of it?" on in his house." works. See paragraph 1.E below. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "And the cigar-holder?" quickly through a disagreeable task. Does that suggest anything?" asked with his eyes open. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Perhaps we may make them less so." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head as yours." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I think that it is very probable." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me