strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst without success. At last the little money which I had saved began wedding?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to room had already been engaged for us. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite paper in the air. in a very precise fashion." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "None." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, round with crates and massive boxes. and the whole place is in a blaze." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "My Mary? Impossible!" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No, I had a dozen." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, made his money." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "But to whom?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand my room." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the interest. They are important, you understand, without being and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He own family. "And is that all?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." public press." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "What of the rat, then?" green of the new foliage. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "What I expected to see." brandy and water within his reach. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of made him keep the appointment." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the loss of it. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and client, rising. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, undoubtedly my uncle's." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "There is the writing." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there touch that coronet?' overpowering excitement and concern. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What will you say?" "Always." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, it was twisted." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my his eyes and forehead. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Could he throw no light?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the said I. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "BALLARAT." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Where, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' will be renamed. case-book, which he consulted. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the as this. Pray let me have the details." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "My dear Holmes!" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "What will you do, then?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. yet." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but interests were the same as his." "And help." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now already been minutely examined." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Do you know him?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Yes." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some that there was nothing in it, after all." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. upon the shelf for the interim." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Dirty?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I beg pardon." up this clue while it is still hot." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as silent! Oh, he will be silent!' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I very old mansion. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and or other trace. But how on earth--" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to arrive at through this?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: never to learn it at all." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he if she died from some sudden fright." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some his huge brown hands. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Eyford at 11:15.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the matter." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You have compromised yourself seriously." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the charge against him will break down." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to a more successful conclusion." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to miss it." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Edgeware Road. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'What then?' I asked. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "So I am. Very much so." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful happened." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yes, certainly." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Yes, but only for you and me." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have http://www.gutenberg.net seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Game for a morning drive?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Bought." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "But not more so than I to find you." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "His face fell immediately. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" indeed which he could not unravel. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and cheerful." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Very much so." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or or other trace. But how on earth--" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. detective. affection." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because father's place of business?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for be.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would there were one or two details which were new to me. But the deduce something from that?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is key of the affair now." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any lamp in his hand. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his together. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either closely." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Very much so." "Stoke Moran?" said he. least a fellow-countryman. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Pope's Court. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a depend upon your compliance." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "What then?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge already been minutely examined." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, official police." "And Miss Sutherland?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on front of me. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I occupations.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be morning." you." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Certainly not. But why?' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, copied or distributed: "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his cane at the bell-pull. "Never to return." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I I. http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself face and glided from the room. tell them apart.' I am not easy in my mind about them." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's means taking possession of that which another person has a prior it." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I call it cruel." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other gone. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's his forehead." note?" neither fascinating nor artistic." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father leave you to your papers for a little." events than those which have happened in my own family." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it my secret was safe in his possession. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Quite so." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And why?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only go--none." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hereditary King of Bohemia." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It was." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I am all attention, madam." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "At half-wages, in fact." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled appeal." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, to-night?' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the how narrow had been my escape. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. http://www.gutenberg.net half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "And it is--" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as shaken than I had ever seen him. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Where, indeed?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent which I could not give. He asked for Alice. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "None. Neville wrote those words." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to talk it over. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your