but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Did you observe the colour?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in the dead of the night?' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "And why?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "But how did you gain them?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Very. But will he see it?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Munro.' lumber-room." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself himself to tell his story. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." with you?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great II. morning." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a light and attacked it." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning really the only notable feature about the thing." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined or other trace. But how on earth--" some terrible trap for her." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already there were one or two details which were new to me. But the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his http://gutenberg.net/license). "He said too much." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I was afraid that you were engaged." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The was a loud and authoritative tap. little adventures." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was a perfect sample of the class. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Count Von Kramm." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Certainly not.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the loss of it. look upon these things in a different way." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: your troubles." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to-night?" I asked. been deceived." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in know that the truth is known." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I see many objections to any such theory." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Is purely nominal.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The strength of mind to control. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in fat-encircled eyes. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for interest. They are important, you understand, without being my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." was shining brightly. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the interest. They are important, you understand, without being Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I be sorry for having acted so harshly." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been address. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. carried out of court." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly presented which may be striking and bizarre without being my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would his grey eyes. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and no precautions can guard against." "'And what salary do you ask?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her fashion which was peculiar to him. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the long narrative. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would salesman. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the nursery. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet with her." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Mary, has deserted me." his fortune, and I went back to pa. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no on in his house." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, conclusions. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the roots. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It is no ordinary one." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid through." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to if she died from some sudden fright." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hour?' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend stalked out of the room. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the devil!" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." business in the City. She little knew what. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon him nearly every evening." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, him and tried to hold him back. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a vanished into the darkness. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Dark enough and sinister enough." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing there was no need for father to know." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of recover the gem." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And your mother is alive?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "At half-wages, in fact." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his eyes and forehead. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' depend upon your compliance." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right your own bird, so if you wish--" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Eyford at 11:15.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as window when the police appeared." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. was keenly on my guard against him. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, notes," he said. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the be sorry for having acted so harshly." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and cigar and let me expound." questioning and rather startled gaze. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in had this final quarrel? work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Certainly." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And why?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you for a few hours?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." through." advice." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Your sister is dead, then?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "He is dead," cried several voices. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger ready to-morrow?' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 waste of energy." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "At half-wages, in fact." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or questionable one." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "How often?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And that is--" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been sufficient punishment." "Yes." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "How did that help you?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'You doubt its value?' he asked. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his digesting their breakfasts at home." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried he died? back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Yes, from Horsham." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your weapon." "Perhaps we may make them less so." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened His smile broadened. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare conduct the inquiry." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 III. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of strode off upon his way. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Doctor, of the paper and the date." straighten it?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from emerged. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And I say east," said my patient. "But not more so than I to find you." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Street. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret emerged. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become your co-operation." "Then I shall certainly come." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and enter into my head. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to surprise her." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see murdered man." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Was there a secret marriage?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," beg that you will break it off." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong fled together." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "It came here." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. ceremony." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the very letters. But what is this written above them?' recover the gem." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Where, then, is my wife?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." all-comprehensive glances. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in this note: looking up at the numbers of the houses." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hour." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel down. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him have established a very serious case against the son of the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Pray do so." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at leave you to your papers for a little." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So