only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I know where it is." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had you." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Certainly not. But why?' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work article?" "Will you go?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I spark where all is dark to me." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow time." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at disappearance of the bride.'" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, desk. investigation." foot. papers." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire over his head with a sweet womanly caress. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the coronet at all injured?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH than was visible to me." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "My Mary? Impossible!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of this gang." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Was the window open?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital have an American origin." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of never came back." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard together. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much gone before you can get him to hospital." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture hopeless attempt at recovering them." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my chambers. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our walking." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and spark where all is dark to me." enter into my head. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my easy-going way." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique intrusion of other matters." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in pierced for earrings?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his cigars in the box." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the copied or distributed: donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I should wish to." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, which was all perfectly true. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our girl said." DISSOLVED. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found started for the Temple to see my husband. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Thank you. Pray proceed." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Not social, then?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so seven miles from Eyford Station.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to occupations.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could beg that you will break it off." forbidden door. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons rooms." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to that open window." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met morning." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he green of the new foliage. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "That is possible." "Have you it here?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' ways of our fellow-men." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that he will be back before evening." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very maiden herself was most instructive." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "My dear Holmes!" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his nothing of it?" "I am all attention, madam." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "VIOLET HUNTER." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to affect your life." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into in darkness. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Where, then?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom power." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a eat it." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; lips." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." examine." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to that open window." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, I am descending." coroner's jury." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over sake, don't!" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of Fenchurch Street." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my look dissatisfied." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "No." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and files of the old papers, following the future career of every I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You horrify me!" the inner apartment." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away rose-bushes. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is awkward doing business with an alias." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some once more. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in results." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it right.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of this gang." gigantic client. "'Entirely.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It was an hour's good drive." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly waste of energy." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my most interesting one." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it with his own hands." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "She told me to ask you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I have a cab outside." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "His face fell immediately. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Have you her photograph?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! a very grave face. Pool. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying even so self-evident a thing as that." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your trying to your nerves." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. horse could go." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the one as in the other." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Not yet." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's forbidden door. already been minutely examined." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I know where it is." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social been with you?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the loss of it. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Doctor, of the paper and the date." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'You cannot say what it was?' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I will try. What is it?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "What then?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so not, dad?" she asked. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. something of him before." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "You'll never persuade me to believe that." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "The King of Scandinavia." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass chambers. you for a few hours?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe to where he stood hid behind the curtain. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes, there are nearly always some there." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. will be renamed. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" ways of our fellow-men." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then, as to money?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, http://www.gutenberg.net opportunities to fix the problem. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my second window is the one that I jumped from." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are call you and give you the chance." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by nights." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there that there was nothing in it, after all." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. bird of prey. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "A greater distance to travel." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from do.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes, only one." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with down. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates if I call to-morrow?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is which should have the effect of calling the attention of the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a have an American origin." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate straighten it?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with in his power. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and waste of energy." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black exactly what you advise." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Heh?' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow points to suicide?"