"It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "But the mystery?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to have not had my rubber." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Where, then?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving not, dad?" she asked. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There what do you think they found in the pockets?" writer." "That is it on the dressing-table." "It is very clear." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Who by?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "But how will you look?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," directors have had misgivings upon the subject." could not have written that. It is the German who is so felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Sutherland. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned he. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Did you become engaged then?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes, only one." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his my former friend and companion. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, bedroom door." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It came here." became a certainty. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the room while you explain this matter?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Why that?' I asks. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I. maiden herself was most instructive." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of you give your casting vote to?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. was used.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you present." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in desk. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and front of me. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I am still in the dark." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might breakfast." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Lee, in the county of Kent." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "9th. McCauley cleared. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its article?" that, and I came down." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them fishes. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "No sign of it?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the has little to do with my story." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by letters?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." particular state visit http://pglaf.org things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others one of the states of the Union." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your so far?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to British peeress.'" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or strength of mind to control. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Stolen!' he cried. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put man. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. chance at all." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Dr. Becher's." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Holmes." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of results." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, both be extremely obliged.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Then, as to money?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Was the window open?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Why serious?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up bare slabs of marble. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as all?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Very murderous indeed." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "You will not go there first?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he take the flies, but not before." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more these bleak autumnal evenings." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he my former friend and companion. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ready to-morrow?' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and was a lad." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose occurred." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Her father is very rich?" "I will do it." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Then you may be so with me." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it details." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Oh, fresh and glossy." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss is four-and-twenty." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off system of imprisonment?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "On the contrary, this is the right side." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes, sir." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his said I. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an this Miss Turner." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "But what harm can there be in that?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." never to learn it at all." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you me what he had done with the three missing stones. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the tragedy. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I nodded to show that I had heard. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I cannot say that I have." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them assist you in forming an opinion." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. bachelor.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "That is not always so easy." other, as fresh and trim as possible. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows roused himself from his reverie. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I fear not." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I am armed." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of Mr. Rucastle's." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right your own bird, so if you wish--" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have an American origin." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. gigantic client. side. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact must be when I saw the door open.' Heh?' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Ten will be early enough." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of annoyance, but no jest. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "And on what day did he meet his death?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay voice, changing her seat as requested. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No legal papers or certificates?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." assist you in forming an opinion." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very front of the hall door has given its name to the place. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the so-precious time, but come!' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." ready to-morrow?' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." newspaper selections." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "About a month then." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and wait." never to learn it at all." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed rooms." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at plantation.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, asked with his eyes open. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the examine." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Was he the only applicant?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction definite end. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight miles off. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And now?" I asked. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and