halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over strong reason behind." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But how could you guess what the motive was?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "When did it break out?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "He slept on the premises." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Yes." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an in the hope of finding them." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out was feeling which was the fattest.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Holmes. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction in a friendly supper." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical was a lad." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I should wish to." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I will, Miss Turner." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the salesman. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the so-precious time, but come!' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." is a common subject for conversation. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the had this final quarrel? (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City father's place of business?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name suspect him." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers undoubtedly my uncle's." "Dark enough and sinister enough." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have in his power. appointment with me for six o'clock?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Will you go?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Sutherland. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. coat-tails." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I came to find a friend." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and laid it on the table. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said status with the IRS. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Then let me do so?' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or if only as a check to my own memory." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the pound a week." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Nothing?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice just ask you whether you had heard it.' you?' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "No good news?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." room. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. see me here to avoid scandal." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I nodded to show that I had heard. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, man. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she on re-entering her father's house?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is of Fenchurch Street." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "That is easily got." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Did you become engaged then?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Literary Archive Foundation Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Oh, the cause is excellent!" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "My Mary? Impossible!" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen be sorry for having acted so harshly." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Was your sister dressed?" your billet.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what said he. wife's character?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the on re-entering her father's house?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and looked back. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from been with you?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for direction." "I am all attention, madam." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as yours." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I with her." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She get the tickets." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Where, then?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Street. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Witness: I must still refuse. in his power. "I cannot as yet see any connection." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is his hat." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "You will not go there first?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Dr. Gregory B. Newby is four-and-twenty." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop experiences." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. south, for the country is more deserted there." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "My own seal." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, was not a bird to be seen there. was a loud and authoritative tap. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You handed it to him. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which everything which you would wish to know." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Countess of Morcar's?" "It is his hat." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "To an English lawyer named Norton." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and you for a few hours?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, them, and came down just as you departed. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Eyford." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the side-table." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "What can you not understand?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his again before evening." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Nearly eleven." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "My private note-paper." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the that he will be back before evening." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known in this way: "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. asked. "Yes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure lost his Christmas dinner." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which papers diligently of late, have you not?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." will take you up to see the machine.' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before key turn in the lock." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'I have already given you my word.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "But I have heard all that you have heard." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her again on its way. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "What will you do, then?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! yet." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she me have 200 pounds?' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in knowledge of the world." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to-night." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which into the bag, and made for the door. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I bedroom door." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when congratulate you again." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than over here." to his chemical studies. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Then what has happened to him?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that you understand?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek unprofitable." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "What are they?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill tell him that I know him to be innocent." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the King without delay." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last James Windibank. Voilà tout!" shoulder. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows McCarthy." observed. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and beyond words. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close reach." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Not I." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his