by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless train from Paddington which would bring you there at about locked. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, from you?" second window is the one that I jumped from." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of Fenchurch Street." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get copied or distributed: A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I saw her in conversation with her maid." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I nights." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." past. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to started for the Temple to see my husband. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of good-night and bustled off upon her way. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg young Openshaw's." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On page at http://pglaf.org dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they mysterious business." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of keep the flames under. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "What is it, then--a fire?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "That is not always so easy." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded appointment with me for six o'clock?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve returned to France?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in him." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself done what I asked you, Jones?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before death." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his few hundred pounds.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "You are hungry," I remarked. "She walked into the breakfast-room." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet hand, madam?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham returned to France?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 was lame." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack which are rolled in Rotterdam." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the ago." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a giving me time to thank him. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "The murder was done with it." "What are they?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him to you." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Do you receive much company?" he asked. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so photograph?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "An accident, I presume?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he papers." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw be best to do. chamber." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "None." http://gutenberg.net/license). been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that I can to serve you." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the be. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "This photograph!" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that you can jump it.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "What I expected to see." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" quickly through a disagreeable task. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Is purely nominal.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Get out!" said he. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'You cannot say what it was?' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as horse could go." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes, but only for you and me." "Ample." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look kind enough to tell me what I should do." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by three of the beryls in it, was missing. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have page at http://pglaf.org "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington chance at all." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a morning." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Which dealer's?' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' papers." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "None." "My stepfather's business papers." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Certainly not. But why?' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very McCarthy." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be call you and give you the chance." man. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I will get her to show me." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would pressing in one house as in another. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a photograph a cabinet?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, money should be paid at once.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate discontent upon his features. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" cheerful." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. unkempt, staring out at me. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given clanging. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. within hail.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this she used." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But your client--" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I think it very unlikely." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the little opening for the ventilator is." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper furiously. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a with some details as to your case." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I am in hopes that she does." once more for Briony Lodge. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open late!' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the there." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'Most admirably.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what despaired of." "His face fell immediately. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying nonsense.' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a your most interesting statement." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while south, for the country is more deserted there." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low paper in the air. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not business came to an end." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house what do you think they found in the pockets?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Leadenhall Street--and--" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not trying to your nerves." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a awkward doing business with an alias." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he returning from some small jollification and was making his way A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Nothing." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. of." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave business came to an end." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are following enigmatical notices: "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and off." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She know what is wrong with it.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the had picked up in the wood. promised to bring home. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in into the room. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray His name is Francis Prosper." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'I have heard so.' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a know that the truth is known." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, upon the sideboard." learned something! Where are the gems?" "But it has twice been burgled." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "My stepfather's business papers." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be window when the police appeared." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My ashen face. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the inner apartment." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a himself in a perplexing position. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** you." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the you?' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and child?' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Yes." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "But his left-handedness." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "It is possible." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'I am sure if I had known--' from the brougham. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Then he might have called to you?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all your troubles." burst out into a roar of laughter. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'There is a drive, then?' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "What?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such pound a week." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I occupations.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But you would not advise me to refuse?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Stolen!' he cried. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I held the little printed slip to the light. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall true." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang she slowly sank and died without having recovered her my friend's incisive reasoning. shaken than I had ever seen him. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Why, what do you mean?" assist you in forming an opinion." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to about. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" than to us. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion.