is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. he bowed and left the room without another word. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance suspect him." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some telegram would bring me down to your help." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." noble correspondent could be. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Edgeware Road. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Literary Archive Foundation matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No, my brougham is waiting." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt key of the affair now." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I was afraid that you were engaged." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' quickly through a disagreeable task. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten cup of tea. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "An enemy?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are again." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you round with crates and massive boxes. "Thank you. Pray proceed." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, my secret was safe in his possession. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "You don't mind breaking the law?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded one of the states of the Union." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out it with his own hands." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from get the tickets." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as all-comprehensive glances. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the cigar and let me expound." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "He said that you could solve anything." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Holmes' thin, eager face. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which row." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from joking. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Not I." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "No sign of it?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "He slept on the premises." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Then you may be so with me." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Henry Baker is a member." leave you to your papers for a little." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the heavily into it. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. several quiet little villages up there." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that his fortune, and I went back to pa. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now words came to my lips. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that we went to search for him, face downward in a little Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and wait." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. strength." approach us with offers to donate. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that opened the door, and slipped through. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and from you?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an may never be exposed to such a temptation." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they acquaintance?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must feature." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired sparkled upon his finger. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with wedding?" was already answered. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and exactly what you advise." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate writers could invent nothing more crude." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most entirely devoid of interest." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after once more for Briony Lodge. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our will he say when he returns?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and spare." "Who was the criminal, then?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you his knees, staring into the fire. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Come in!" said Holmes. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It over here." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I would pay ten." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the dangers which encompass me." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Ah!" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so you." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in him." plantation.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm wife's character?" "'You cannot say what it was?' "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I will not look." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. is," said he presently: "And sit in the dark?" affection." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a conceal it?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a my former friend and companion. investigation." maid will bring up your coffee." "Come in!" said Holmes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a gives a meaning to it." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was a perfect sample of the class. "You don't mind breaking the law?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." undoubtedly my uncle's." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "It looks newer than the other things?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my strength." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I am sure." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where second." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes before the coroner and the police-court." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And when will you call?" closely." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And when will you call?" manager. approach us with offers to donate. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'How far from the body?' formed some opinion?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Yes, it was gone.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me locked." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "You were travelling in the States?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down it right.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What are they?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ample." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton disturbance in my wife." "What are they?" examine." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones is acting for the best. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The hour." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "What do you mean?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Your presence might be invaluable." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It was." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the driver. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Munro.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Arthur Conan Doyle them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Mrs. Toller serenely. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, rooms." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained evidence," I remarked. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Why, what do you mean?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear cigars in the box." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to talk it over. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are skylight. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait way in." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two remarked. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And what did you learn from him?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a her also." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that not fit the lock." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." amused." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, stammered. to-morrow." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Doctor, of the paper and the date." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. papers diligently of late, have you not?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt had this final quarrel? our word." enough to aid us in our search." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such lectures into a series of tales." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in darkness. presume?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it problems help me to do so." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William threw himself down with his face to the pillow. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I have my revolver," said I. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up shadow pass over his face as I spoke. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for