sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid to affect your life." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "May I see it?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "How many? I don't know." anything to do with the matter?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "And how did you verify them?" putting in the horse. had picked up in the wood. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Not him." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a photograph?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But how?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I closing the door. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Stolen." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It is solved." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Edgeware Road. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "The doctor?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was there was no need for father to know." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate it." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing skylight. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may not within a twentieth part of the market price." strong and stiff." drawing your inferences." any." "I think that it is very probable." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The if she died from some sudden fright." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in darkness. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall certainly not very gracious." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in to-night." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole green of the new foliage. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. http://gutenberg.net/license). puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of 1.E.9. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he conceal it?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the window, rose as we entered. London for the present?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. was a loud and authoritative tap. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "None. Neville wrote those words." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it past. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Sutherland?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I am sure." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. long narrative. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not green of the new foliage. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. there when the Rucastles went away." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "What shall I do?" "Thank you. And your address?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "She walked into the breakfast-room." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to change my dress. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You are all wrong." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. back into the street. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "That is it on the dressing-table." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that he will be back before evening." remarked. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence mystery!" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had suddenly upon us." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "No." the coronet in his hands?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Texas, I think." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He is still with you, I presume?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "So I am. Very much so." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a might help us?" seen the man in the road." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money had no one to advise her at such a crisis." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "In heaven's name, what for?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly married her." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "It is very clear." ourselves in the office." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "But of what society?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I shall be delighted." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Pray do so." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. passage and a tap at the door. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "And how did you find out?" The King stared at him in amazement. note?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And how did he make his money?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And sit in the dark?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable off." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and shall use the carriage to-night." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Yes, sir." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving business?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the brandy and water within his reach. "What then?" a suggestive one." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "That was it, sir." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, a suggestive one." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I am to be neutral?" "I fear not." be.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built a monotonous occupation." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. beyond words. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I see many objections to any such theory." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "No." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander experiences." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "May I see it?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that shaken than I had ever seen him. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." bearing upon the case." "'As governess?' of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, good for you to do.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it carried out of court." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "And why?" "'Yes, sir.' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the key of the affair now." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Where, then, is my wife?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I cannot think." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Eyford." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. kindly on the shoulder. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the death." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly is a common subject for conversation. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I cannot say that I have." matter." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "That is easily got." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "There is the writing." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses conclusions. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and laid it on the table. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer morning." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'What are you doing there?' he asked. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have that the gas is not laid on in his house?" amused." get her out of the way." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the best of training." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your investigation." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Certainly." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "How do you know, then?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were father's place of business?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must during that time.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Yes." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out October 9, 1890. You want to know what became of those geese?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to