chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which how narrow had been my escape. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I cannot imagine." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I was concerned in it." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And the cigar-holder?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my know that the truth is known." vault. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. meant." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then particular state visit http://pglaf.org assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he to miss it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father at my own good fortune. "How did that help you?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the said he. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City young Openshaw's." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. her also." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Oh, yes, easily." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with business came to an end." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in. For additional contact information: extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" his face. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few writer." "Yes." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a were unconscious?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a colonel looking down at me. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to go into your room and bar your shutters?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "At half-wages, in fact." "Pray do so." "To ruin me." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Ah!" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of the one which your family is now devouring." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would papers must be those that are destroyed.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The Coroner: What do you mean? case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be rat could hardly pass through." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "No, thank goodness, she did not." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful begin with, and I had not got mine yet." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, asked. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I will not look." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that you saw all that I did." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and files of the old papers, following the future career of every whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to tell them apart.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I am about to be married." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Absolutely none." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "We have tried and failed." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are keep the flames under. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of the way of danger. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the coroner come to?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Entirely." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that you saw all that I did." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply astonishment. newspaper selections." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "What! You do not mean bodies?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to off." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She bachelor.' breakfast." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his constraint." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, depend upon your compliance." of his shoulders. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of village inn over there?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the seem to you to be relevant or not." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "What of the rat, then?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate notes," he said. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as crackling voice. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "To ruin me." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "She told me to ask you." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "He slept on the premises." all?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'How far from the body?' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "He is dead," cried several voices. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in delirious. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "We must have a cab." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It must be recovered." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend particular state visit http://pglaf.org sofa. This way, please!" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the call it cruel." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if to Leatherhead. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very shall not find me ungrateful." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's affection." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Your French gold?" back to my heart. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his wife has ceased to love him." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection prison!" bled considerably." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'In my own bureau.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "No more words. Get out!" showing my impatience. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, key of the affair now." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, straighten it?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Yes." other lovers by making love himself." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem three fields round his house, and there he would take his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Then the page we have seen--" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice gigantic client. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the orange pips. spark where all is dark to me." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes, but only for you and me." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And your mother is alive?" round and wave him away like that.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Then I am your man." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, girl said." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big better in every way that they should make their position a little Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I promise," said Holmes. call you and give you the chance." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a up this clue while it is still hot." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Really! You surprise me." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I say it is." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "About a month then." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do asked with his eyes open. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to have been novel and of interest." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "So it appears." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his until night should bring an explanation. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a vault. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and which are rolled in Rotterdam." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a once more. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and it need not interfere very much with one's other come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and his knees, staring into the fire. again before evening." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, our word." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was enter Dr. Roylott's room." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an four million human beings all jostling each other within the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. pressing in one house as in another. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp really the only notable feature about the thing." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well?" "Yes. He waved his hands." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the should be so warm over such a trifle." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" question. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, remarked. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I will do it." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would writer." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a desk. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of might help us?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought unkempt, staring out at me. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to into the bag, and made for the door. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Miss Holder?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then in darkness. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you own family. London for the present?" "Not particularly." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt bed dies. Does not that strike you?" is worth.' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce