It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to eat it." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some The summons was a brief and urgent one. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "No more words. Get out!" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to that open window." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "You have the photograph?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I shall be delighted." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "A confidential servant?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you him, that man would not have given me such complete information "One?" forehead. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Then I can wait in the next room." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He James Windibank. Voilà tout!" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we confronted him. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend discontent upon his features. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," this man was intellectual?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'What are you doing there?' he asked. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third upon the shelf for the interim." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Was there a secret marriage?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts meanly of me." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg several quiet little villages up there." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with recover the gem." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Why, it's a dummy," said he. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly for and were ordered to this address. "'Which dealer's?' charge against him will break down." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But how could you guess what the motive was?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic front of me. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I am in hopes that she does." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and have this put in the evening papers." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to disappearance of the bride.'" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round shall not find me ungrateful." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action society." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced This is what he says: may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. up this clue while it is still hot." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Nothing." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. never will be, entirely cleared up. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the church but not where the lady lived." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, I am descending." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly on in his house." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who arrested. You then--" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; all that?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to you." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I never have." "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Is purely nominal.' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across The King stared at him in amazement. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the coronet in his hand?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He heavily into it. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the stones. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with to arrive at through this?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better This is what he says: near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Yes, it was gone.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and have this put in the evening papers." helping a boy to put up the shutters. posted to-day." "'What do you call purely nominal?' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "How long did she speak to this Alice?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east forehead. it." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "This photograph!" "'What then?' I asked. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the house with me." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "A client, then?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, here." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled McCarthy." him nearly every evening." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I should be immensely obliged to you." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his quickly through a disagreeable task. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes, from Horsham." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point stalked out of the room. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main interests were the same as his." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as brain must have something in it." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the night.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Holmes." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm head. So long, then!" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." cigar and let me expound." "No, my brougham is waiting." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the coronet at all injured?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "There is the writing." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my you do it in twenty minutes!' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get envelope. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come again, where I was soon asleep. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which if I call to-morrow?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own could not account in any way for the presence of the missing had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "No bad?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face call you and give you the chance." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my fuss that is made over them." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the loss of it. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'Certainly not.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Lee, in the county of Kent." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set own family. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The vanishing of the lady." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I nodded again. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. be best to do. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the stones. "Dark enough and sinister enough." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her key of the affair now." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it with his own hands." his huge brown hands. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of disappearance of the bride.'" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' appeal." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Then, as to money?" and your relations to her." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I have come for advice." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a read over the extraordinary announcement. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we quite distinctive." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "What can it mean?" I gasped. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one already referred to. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "How can you tell that?" the loss of it. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. detective. conclusions. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. friend's singular character. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a ago." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry existence." "Yes, he did." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that him." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and capable of preserving a secret.' distinguish the words: http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From side. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this such attractions and accomplishments?' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney fattened it expressly for you.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems reach." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from out of this horrible affair." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "No, I think that I'll take it." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled which it had come upon my father." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was lame." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is stalked out of the room. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he charge against him will break down." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" taking in every detail of the apartment. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. brain must have something in it." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "He disappeared so suddenly." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with his grey eyes. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Nothing." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Very much so." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery made him keep the appointment." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." your most interesting statement." "What do you mean?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I know where it is." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You saw the ventilator, too?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" at my remark. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands