Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "What of the rat, then?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come I held the little printed slip to the light. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort such attractions and accomplishments?' directly by questioning you." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation presented more singular features than that which was associated constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And the murderer?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'Never.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "What of the rat, then?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the inquest, and which are worth considering." thought that she would have been so carried away." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "It is a murder, then?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I am following you closely," I answered. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a will he say when he returns?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting annoyance, but no jest. shoulder; "he's all right." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Where to?' to you." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to surprise her." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And what did you see?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Come in!" said Holmes. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Street. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client chamber." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly a room. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a bears upon the case?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work confronted him. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before relief. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You forget that I know nothing about it." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down not within a twentieth part of the market price." them?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Was he the only applicant?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'As governess?' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. one of them." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "But what is it you wish?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Certainly not.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a strong and stiff." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'It is locked up,' I answered. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Mary, has deserted me." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Holmes, the busybody!" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Upon what point?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Then I shall certainly come." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to through." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Entirely." be best to do. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a nothing with him." matter." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Where to?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, made him keep the appointment." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are as this. Pray let me have the details." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It was an hour's good drive." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." sufficient punishment." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the me have 200 pounds?' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door upon the sideboard." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had keep the flames under. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Never.' most interesting one." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'And the work?' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural think you a quite exceptional woman." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 him to go away.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's some terrible trap for her." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this is a common subject for conversation. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "We must have a cab." fashion which was peculiar to him. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than him, that man would not have given me such complete information If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds front of me. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the roots. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is only touch the interest." father's place of business?" purpose of examination. "If so, much may have happened between." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What have you to say now?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Yes, all." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Nothing?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and shall probably return to London by the evening train." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed attention." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with definite end. and put his glass in his pocket. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of nice household for a young lady." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She showing my impatience. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to be best to do. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the was it brought him the coronet? companion. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to answer." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Which are?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt awaited us upon the table. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "What do you make of that, Watson?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a points to suicide?" back into the street. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Where to?" the side-table." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stalked out of the room. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice you give your casting vote to?" will he say when he returns?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. my former friend and companion. "What will you do, then?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in stalked out of the room. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the matter?" think that he is innocent?" "An enemy?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "In San Francisco, a year ago." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to case-book, which he consulted. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger trifles." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "What will you do, then?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Tired-looking or fresh?" should be so warm over such a trifle." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of them has the shutters up.' whereabouts. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the date of his supposed suicide." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "He slept on the premises." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "He disappeared so suddenly." friends, not even his own brother. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a delirious. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle dead, shall be safe with us." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his cane at the bell-pull. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I have come for advice." "Certainly." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing British peeress.'" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here examination of the premises, but without finding anything which suspect him." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "An enemy?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At few hundred pounds.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so noting anything else of interest. "It is true that I have been generally successful." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. disturbance in my wife." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Come in!" said he. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have bird I ate is country bred." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It was a confession," I ejaculated. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. hopeless attempt at recovering them." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found shaken than I had ever seen him. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "He slept on the premises." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." must compliment you." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but when your master had gone out." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked nothing of it?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how leave you to your papers for a little." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and situation." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, whether it answered to the description of any of their Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'And what are they worth?' I asked. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as