"The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring too. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bedroom door." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. was shining brightly. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Ten will be early enough." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest think that he is innocent?" at once, for I have only half an hour." feature." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'As governess?' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hour?' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them beg that you will break it off." "Well." "It's nothing of the kind." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." retorted upon me, and I on you." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very perplexity from it to my illustrious client. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "But not more so than I to find you." clang of the bell. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think washing it down with a long draught of water. this Miss Turner." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "He disappeared so suddenly." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "It was an hour's good drive." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with you." absorbing." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Oh, yes, easily." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That what is your own theory as to what took place?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can second." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still this man was intellectual?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This desk. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. address. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their important." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as come either from the window or the door. My attention was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the lips." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated in the dead of the night?' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. whereabouts. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know cigars in their mouths. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the a very grave face. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very matter." main points of my analysis." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I fear not." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I see no marks." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "No, my brougham is waiting." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You saw the ventilator, too?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have enough to aid us in our search." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "He slept on the premises." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in one or two places in England?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard up this clue while it is still hot." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the must compliment you." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Where does the thing come from?' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What then?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "9th. McCauley cleared. to tell." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered man. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "He might." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, strong and stiff." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't particular state visit http://pglaf.org opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the tragedy. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. examine." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Of what day?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Never." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would get the tickets." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately she to prove their authenticity?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have had none more fantastic than this." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "What then?" "Whose house is it?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Yes, all." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was said he. "'And the work?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate trifles." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some bird of prey. "Always." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Could he throw no light?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "My dear Holmes!" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes. He waved his hands." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "And from a noble client?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sholtos." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, You want to know what became of those geese?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Never." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and public press." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "An accident, I presume?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of thin legs towards the fire. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike III. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "She will not sell." showing my impatience. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think investigation." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You don't mind breaking the law?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon friend's singular character. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking is," said he presently: passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Literary Archive Foundation her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You have compromised yourself seriously." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Have you her photograph?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "What?" open." "Will you bet, then?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lips." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the room while you explain this matter?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in least a most suspicious remark." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It meanly of me." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" should be so warm over such a trifle." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by status with the IRS. it means?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." himself in a perplexing position. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and your relations to her." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his during that time.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "9th. McCauley cleared. money should be paid at once.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." know all about it," he snarled. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under head. So long, then!" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And I say east," said my patient. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hopeless attempt at recovering them." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an events, Mr. Windibank!" one of them." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life then?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own wanted for ourselves." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, question. which it had come upon my father." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Will you bet, then?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man himself in a perplexing position. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the digesting their breakfasts at home." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My