character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a money should be paid at once.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under these bleak autumnal evenings." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his had a long day." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was money should be paid at once.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows some terrible trap for her." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." opportunities to fix the problem. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." overpowering excitement and concern. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of outbreak?" with the outside air!" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently any." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "No, finished." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "In what way?" asked Holmes. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and all of them with the keenest interest. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Certainly, madam." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and that he would see to anything that turned up. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too she used." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, will take you up to see the machine.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's From what you have told me I think that it is possible that He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's situation." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this more terrible than the truth. suspect him." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last matter over." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Here?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I am to be neutral?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a my secret was safe in his possession. of it with the greatest attention. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "On your arm?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, take the flies, but not before." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "How did you deduce the select?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of rooms." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Has he come with you to-night?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him get her out of the way." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have made his money." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Nothing." with you alone." purpose of examination. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless I. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." writer." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands read it out to me." true." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled tapping his fingers upon the table. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him American. Then who could this American be, and why should he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been go--none." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing with the outside air!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Yes, I promise.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "One?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Seven!" I answered. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "An accident, I presume?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." how narrow had been my escape. distinguish the words: visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Have you good authority for what you say?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "That is it on the dressing-table." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Precisely." "'Never,' said I. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and at my own good fortune. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no beyond words. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very humiliation." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she are windows in it, of course?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary problems help me to do so." your only hope of safety." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in was shining brightly. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy man. I know him from the photograph." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I don't believe it." "What of the rat, then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little your room." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of it with the greatest attention. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special seven miles from Eyford Station.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the evidence," I remarked. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in darkness. to surprise her." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon corner of the building. "'I am sure that I do not know.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a certainly do as you advise." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But your client--" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "What! a murderous attack?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "And did you observe any change in her then?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the morning." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. acted in my house last night?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the someone who had been in Australia." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous roused himself from his reverie. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I know where it is." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I cannot tell." "No, I am descending." woman." "Was she in good spirits?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there this as likely?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Street. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which said he, "my real name is James Ryder." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I footfalls from the street. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and like that before?" something of him before." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "How did he come?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and wait." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook been deceived." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the bed, and you in that chair." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Holmes' room. strong and stiff." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the off." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I What do you deduce from it?" that you wished to speak to me?' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. been shamefully used." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Have you good authority for what you say?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Heh?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "You were travelling in the States?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and him." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching prepare for the new role I have to play." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "None." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Not in the least." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and your relations to her." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in straightened it out again. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" know all about it," he snarled. past. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the felt the room to be a little close.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "If so, much may have happened between." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the made his money." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your should be so warm over such a trifle." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, tell them apart.' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had morning." instituted." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "No sign of it?" "I am about to be married." should be so warm over such a trifle." to me. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and he. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Yes, the wine-cellar." better grown goose." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out http://gutenberg.net/license). me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the acted in my house last night?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Holmes' face clouded over. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the room while you explain this matter?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the ceiling. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "What do you make of that, Watson?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she formed some opinion?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel third from London." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Certainly." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the questionable one." less than 26s. 4d. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "But not more so than I to find you." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'I am sure that I do not know.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" wedding?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the tragedy. correct than the official force." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "What will you say?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall