bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "That is unusual in a young girl." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the coronet in his hand?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I took the paper from him and read as follows: through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yes, but only for you and me." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the King without delay." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. forehead. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Texas, I think." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "The gentleman I describe." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common direction." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It looks newer than the other things?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and him to go away.' hour." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the coroner come to?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black interests were the same as his." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. crime." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And I to find an enemy." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of is so. I know all about McCarthy." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was sparkled upon his finger. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "And I to find an enemy." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "My photograph." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "You have compromised yourself seriously." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, of Mr. Rucastle's." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which our visitor detailed to us. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And I." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the said I. danger is over." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his huge brown hands. "May I see it?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for second window is the one that I jumped from." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Then I am your man." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, only one." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her introspective fashion. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "And how?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Get out!" said he. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or fattened it expressly for you.' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and status with the IRS. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." status with the IRS. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a little adventures." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which money should be paid at once.' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of assist you in forming an opinion." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on woman who has had her own way to make in the world. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at matter." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be way in." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then you may be so with me." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Do you know him?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would an introduction to him?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between conclusions. the warnings." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the for securing the situation." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. coat-tails." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Ah!" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, crime. invisible to me," I remarked. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were My friend smiled. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Nothing." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? companion. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when subject to the trademark license, especially commercial This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I tail." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it cigar and let me expound." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "We were both in the photograph." to miss it." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I would give my fortune to have them back." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the said Mr. Holder. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." outsides of the windows. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" works. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Well, but China?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to to-morrow." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Where does the thing come from?' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked she slowly sank and died without having recovered her them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness skylight. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. legal crime." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went crackling voice. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the devil!" "I have my revolver," said I. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing be sorry for having acted so harshly." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Yes." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." it were putty." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head mysterious end." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hurried away. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the such person." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "May I see it?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Which are?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired fuss that is made over them." dear old homesteads?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too examine." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Holmes." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as point in the dark hollow of his hand. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I have come for advice." "Will you bet, then?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope begin with, and I had not got mine yet." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer congratulate you again." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I was afraid that you were engaged." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an than to us. was lame." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to tackle the facts." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought he. "Her father is very rich?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his papers." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would their singular warning or token before them when starting upon engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive she has been waylaid. There has been no result." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself her also." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned something of him before." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Why did you pick him?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sutherland?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "The best possible." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: whatever might befall. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself room had already been engaged for us. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "One?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward any." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his sneer upon his pale face. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for place, I think that there is good ground to think that the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & room. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "You were travelling in the States?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I awaited us upon the table. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, been." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, towards the blaze. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I don't believe it." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And how have you succeeded?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. who was a member of your goose club." that threaten you." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact