have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence keep the flames under. crowd. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door so far?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the enter Dr. Roylott's room." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage me. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "The gentleman I describe." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy note?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than in the hope of finding them." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, just ask you whether you had heard it.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my conclusions. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' we went to search for him, face downward in a little however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what tell him that I know him to be innocent." bare slabs of marble. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal experiences." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "But I have heard all that you have heard." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'And the work?' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "What office?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the lips." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Where to?' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Entirely." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fact, we may call it conclusive." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I will do it." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "The knees of his trousers." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than look dissatisfied." "Could he throw no light?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of look upon these things in a different way." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I have hopes." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. way in everything. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the from the brougham. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "But not more so than I to find you." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Never." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Watson," he said cordially. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." not come at once?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Dirty?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "He said that you could solve anything." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Holmes." "But it has twice been burgled." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a she used." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved people don't know." the tragedy. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began what I may call a really hard day's work." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "He disappeared so suddenly." at a side door. the stable lane now." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this undoubtedly my uncle's." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "How do you know, then?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far remarked. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the enter into my head. "My own seal." signal between you and your father? he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. made his money." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in photograph a cabinet?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Texas, I think." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever swore that no one else had been in the front room during the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on have had none more fantastic than this." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether pierced for earrings?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in fact, we may call it conclusive." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Then the page we have seen--" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Did you observe the colour?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." have accepted such a situation. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a nice household for a young lady." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I was mad--insane." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "One of his hands." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I shall not find me ungrateful." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and all of them with the keenest interest. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." one else, I think." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "My dear Holmes!" to Leatherhead. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of companion imperturbably. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And why?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Not yet." the dangers which encompass me." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, gone. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "What then?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime British peeress.'" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "The rest you will leave in our hands." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, there when the Rucastles went away." little adventures." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate confronted him. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Nearly eleven." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase with her." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Upon what point?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and interest. They are important, you understand, without being but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, in the port of London." "Yes." felt the room to be a little close.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name heavily into it. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would October 9, 1890. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to this poor creature." as yours." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You think that he is dead?" "We must have a cab." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have kindly on the shoulder. that you can jump it.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Is purely nominal.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, success. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "My last client of the sort was a king." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Pool. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to few hundred pounds.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, returned to France?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what will take you up to see the machine.' such person." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It is solved." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would do you make of it all?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "To an English lawyer named Norton." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too more solid." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a you." asked. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Were they all fastened this morning?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little forecastle of an emigrant ship. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "But to whom?" the window, rose as we entered. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest that the gas is not laid on in his house?" carpenter." thought that she would have been so carried away." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and been deceived." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'As governess?' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "He is dead," cried several voices. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to dates and names. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Eyford at 11:15.' "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Very good.' key turn in the lock." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that you saw all that I did." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with to go into your room and bar your shutters?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire over his head with a sweet womanly caress. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I assure you that I am in your hands." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "At half-wages, in fact." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "That is not always so easy." that there was nothing in it, after all." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out papers diligently of late, have you not?" better grown goose." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "He disappeared so suddenly." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a easy-going way." "By all means." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at more terrible than the truth. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a careless servant girl?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual orange pips. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 key of the affair now." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" persecution?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "My dear Holmes!" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I fatally injured? it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite http://www.gutenberg.net the matter." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. who was a member of your goose club." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is nonsense.' "It was." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much way in everything. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Lee, in the county of Kent." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most room had already been engaged for us. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of campaign. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for