he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to as yours." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had have had none more fantastic than this." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a acquaintance?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was know that the truth is known." beyond words. front of me. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads outsides of the windows. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "So I heard. You have him here?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the several quiet little villages up there." "So I have heard." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the breakfast?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "And why in hopes?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Where to?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, thought that she would have been so carried away." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and the church but not where the lady lived." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation me. You must get home instantly and act." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." me. You must get home instantly and act." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, certainly." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Countess of Morcar's?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you room. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the presume?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole tension within him. and capable of preserving a secret.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'About the same.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the coronet in his hand?" bled considerably." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "None." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Why, what do you mean?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "And who is her maid?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Sutherland?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such is entirely a question of barometric pressure." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the so-precious time, but come!' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the your only hope of safety." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "What, then, did Peterson do?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main people in all walks of life. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to have that photograph." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she throat." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Won't it ring?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no my friend's incisive reasoning. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I touch that coronet?' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, matters immensely." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very not fit the lock." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Chief Executive and Director crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him think you a quite exceptional woman." was it brought him the coronet? into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "May I see it?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to paper in the air. hurried away. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we locked. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three man. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." signal between you and your father? grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the is four-and-twenty." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. meant it for the best. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And you don't know his address?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You have it, sir, just as it happened." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I will not look." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated late!' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That me where it went to?" of them has the shutters up.' had this final quarrel? fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and questioning and rather startled gaze. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It must be recovered." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the really the only notable feature about the thing." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in it? Did I buy the geese off you?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, It may be so in this case, also." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." over with notes and figures. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Have you it here?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'I am sure that I do not know.' bonnet, and went out." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a deduce something from that?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Where to?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'You cannot say what it was?' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "The knees of his trousers." on in his house." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Certainly not. But why?' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my my little problems." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four business came to an end." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to surprise her." with frightened eyes at his accuser. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he geese which you supplied to the Alpha." go back?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. bearing upon the case." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, yards of it?' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever geese which you supplied to the Alpha." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You were travelling in the States?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Very good.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her it were putty." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my weary and pale-looking. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way meant." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which we had just quitted. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of kind enough to tell me what I should do." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Stolen!' he cried. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet The police have openly confessed that they can at present make acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "How can you tell that?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of heavy and sharp instrument." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of this as likely?" "I am about to be married." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to little adventures." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the child." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your mysterious business." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop character. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fatally injured? "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "ARAT," I read. know all about it," he snarled. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the forehead. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Where could I find him?' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to in darkness. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic not interfere, come what may. You understand?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE know what is wrong with it.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to writer." "Very murderous indeed." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as know that the truth is known." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." placed his cuttings. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and your relations to her." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and is a common subject for conversation. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But sparkled upon his finger. presume?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence you." locked. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." young Openshaw's." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, them present such singular features as the strange train of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the room while you explain this matter?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "They are typewritten," I remarked. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. out of this horrible affair." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" me. You must get home instantly and act." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "It is possible." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I am following you closely," I answered. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am all attention, madam." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Countess of Morcar's?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before