the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was as this. Pray let me have the details." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Certainly,' I answered. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you upon the sideboard." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, went to the Alpha were town bred." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes for the market.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" her also." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy all-comprehensive glances. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the running down." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I shall most certainly do so." bell. Holmes whistled. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread floor. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "But his left-handedness." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "How can you tell that?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. I shall communicate with you." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Leadenhall Street--and--" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "And how in the world did you find them?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'I shall certainly be there.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I was sure that I might rely on you." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that be there in time for your coming." may never be exposed to such a temptation." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "At what time?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" drawing your inferences." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America experiences." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Farm upon the left." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after unclasping of his long thin hands. the matter?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the one of them." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most question," said Holmes, smiling. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened some city in a dream. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the tell me that you intended to go into harness." to Leatherhead. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in house for five minutes.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You three fields round his house, and there he would take his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing will be renamed. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I say that I have solved it." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, wife's character?" is," said he presently: Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens yourselves in at night?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same go from here to the Strand." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" done what I asked you, Jones?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "So it appears." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The be best to do. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. your troubles." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Holmes' thin, eager face. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works forehead. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have less than 26s. 4d. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would companion. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should God! What an exposure! What can I do?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, what do you think they found in the pockets?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, secret." better grown goose." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick attention." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I will get her to show me." was keenly on my guard against him. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "What is it?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "And sit in the dark?" "Pray do so." to take care of herself." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at following enigmatical notices: envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. is a common subject for conversation. written. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss obstinate." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Eyford at 11:15.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And now?" I asked. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And for present expenses?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I business." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and laid it on the table. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, corner of the building. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we you found me to-night--and running through the front room she disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "What shall I do?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Pray do so." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Will you go?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always second." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Ample.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I took the paper from him and read as follows: did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, were unconscious?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at laugh and put his lips to my ear. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "It certainly sounds feasible." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a voice. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend suspect him." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Most admirably.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Was there a secret marriage?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in him." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And from a noble client?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were *** START: FULL LICENSE *** inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'What do you call purely nominal?' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Perhaps we may make them less so." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "An accident, I presume?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. affection." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her vague figure huddled up in the darkness. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Your French gold?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong detained." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You know me, then?" introspective fashion. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Then I shall certainly come." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate direction." for and were ordered to this address. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with go--none." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important hardly wander." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very country, and eventually married, without anyone having a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated my room." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always 11:15.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Street. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very you." you." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the whereabouts. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Perfectly so." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fattened it expressly for you.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "That is easily got." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "And why?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "None." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be without a word or a look. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." companion imperturbably. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable records." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than security.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, correct than the official force." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It is no ordinary one." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Very. But will he see it?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the