"It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "He disappeared so suddenly." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up fattened it expressly for you.' chamber." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to have been novel and of interest." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "This concluded the examination of the witness." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Chief Executive and Director ways including including checks, online payments and credit card could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wall." "What can you not understand?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "My last client of the sort was a king." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I entirely lost his self-respect." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I say it is." posted to-day." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, about. all?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "At half-wages, in fact." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Yes, it was twisted." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Why did you pick him?" "And why?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of the one which your family is now devouring." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Then the page we have seen--" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "It is possible." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Lestrade of Scotland Yard." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire evidence," I remarked. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "The doctor?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten that I may have something better before very many minutes are never to learn it at all." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and glanced through. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' do you make of it all?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this green of the new foliage. neither fascinating nor artistic." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such vault. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do walking." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Where could I find him?' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "That also I could fathom." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our became a certainty. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "What is it, then--a fire?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double evidence," I remarked. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Have you it here?" "A confidential servant?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in this note: it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" true." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' noble correspondent could be. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead pound a week." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout had this final quarrel? methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And it is--" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I crime." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the coronet in his hands?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" bled considerably." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of me. You must get home instantly and act." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, like gravel from a pit.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled rat could hardly pass through." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Yes.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "What is it?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a cigar and let me expound." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and foot. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which quite distinctive." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I disappearance of the bride.'" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I never to learn it at all." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "He is still with you, I presume?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "And help." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just trying to your nerves." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But you can know nothing of this?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, look dissatisfied." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, any little problem which you may submit to me." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge prisoner's face. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I shall be delighted." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "A call for help, you thought?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when triumphant cloud from his cigarette. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I cannot tell." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt not come at once?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the matter?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous little adventures." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been bell. Holmes whistled. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "In answer to an advertisement." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Edgeware Road. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" side. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me power." quick march!" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "One?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'As governess?' morning." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "What then?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free late." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down were new raised from a basin. second." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven could gather together that I was able to avert another public doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of your troubles." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Is purely nominal.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend that you can jump it.' "What are they?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "What office?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with been deceived." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "But how?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Perfectly so." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'What, the red-headed man?' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Sutherland?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, all-comprehensive glances. if I call to-morrow?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my walking." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he derbies." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that he will be back before evening." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It was an hour's good drive." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, everything which you would wish to know." "At what time?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few had no one to advise her at such a crisis." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden away to you." "It missed him, then?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Were they all fastened this morning?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this there." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sake, don't!" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to envelope. key turn in the lock." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And it is--" constraint." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of bears upon the case?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the his fortune, and I went back to pa. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. depend upon my doing so.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the weary and pale-looking. as this. Pray let me have the details." pictures, libraries, or plate. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" bled considerably." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag friend's singular character. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Why? What do you mean?" "The King of Scandinavia." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Yes, it would be as well." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Your French gold?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "My dear Holmes!" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears your co-operation." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and society." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. matter." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? me upon any point which I do not make clear." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock been anything against him. He had for years been known as a that I am arrested." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Stolen, then." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his knees, staring into the fire. the loss of it. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to