Project Gutenberg-tm works. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to delirious. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Will you go?" been shamefully used." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the station." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a guilty parties." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Absolutely none." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I shall be delighted." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Farm upon the left." followed. relief. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us feature." Countess of Morcar's?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. his huge brown hands. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Why did you beat the pavement?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to miss it." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Ah!" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but foresight and the moral retrogression?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the once more for Briony Lodge. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, from Horsham." enter into my head. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The you do it in twenty minutes!' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Breckinridge is his name." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good there!' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you guilty parties." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom nothing with him." I was concerned in it." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Certainly." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No, my brougham is waiting." place of silver." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the stable lane now." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of written, and locked the door of the office after me. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to followed. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said into the bag, and made for the door. "In the cells." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, the wine-cellar." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It's nothing of the kind." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! grasp, he hurried from the room. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that leaning back in his chair. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to-night?" I asked. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I am all attention, madam." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Absolutely none." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Nothing." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure seem to you to be relevant or not." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' throat." putting in the horse. "And how did he make his money?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less eat it." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told tightly behind him. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it are, I think, all that we need." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it? Did I buy the geese off you?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" business came to an end." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Ha! you find it so?" nonsense.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I say it is." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Very. But will he see it?" writer." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to have one." matter." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He introspective fashion. figure." your co-operation." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "10th. John Swain cleared. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to galvanised. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the page at http://pglaf.org moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent begin with, and I had not got mine yet." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards stammered. "Oh, fresh and glossy." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the said I. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling chance at all." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a residence of the great financier. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, politicians who had been sent down from the North. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been than was visible to me." nice household for a young lady." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Yes, he did." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "That is it on the dressing-table." manager. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the system of imprisonment?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "What I expected to see." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I will get her to show me." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when What do you deduce from it?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification second." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What steps will you take?" I asked. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "That is unusual in a young girl." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "An accident, I presume?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" desk. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No. What a strange idea!" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips morning." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the points to suicide?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my possible that we could bring him back to her? what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon chance." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, him nearly every evening." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "How did he come?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the himself. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in matter." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until over here." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Certainly, madam." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is voice, changing her seat as requested. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City weapon." "Imitated." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You have but to name it." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I present." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Always." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "When did she vanish, then?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten touch that coronet?' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in records." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." round with crates and massive boxes. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make at my own good fortune. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to returning from some small jollification and was making his way dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of campaign. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of there in twenty minutes." been deceived." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a John Swain, of St. Augustine. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if highroad, where all traces were lost. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The colonel looking down at me. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was not a bird to be seen there. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "A call for help, you thought?" "'What, the red-headed man?' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." one of them." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the annoyance, but no jest. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the stammered. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "A greater distance to travel." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and the colonel ushered me in. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the loss of it. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" McCarthy." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "No legal papers or certificates?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. gigantic client. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to a more successful conclusion." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently towards the blaze. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some long narrative. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I am still in the dark." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and that he would see to anything that turned up. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle bore every mark of being an average commonplace British money should be paid at once.' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The King of Scandinavia." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried