are, I think, all that we need." you give your casting vote to?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Can I be of assistance?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Countess of Morcar's?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the window, rose as we entered. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in thin legs towards the fire. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "How did you deduce the select?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his bird I ate is country bred." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary http://www.gutenberg.net parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Certainly." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course strong and stiff." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, spark where all is dark to me." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this carpenter." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was be sorry for having acted so harshly." about. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the late." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes, there are nearly always some there." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she best detective that ever lived. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is anything to a woman, for she would have her way." death." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Pope's Court. strong reason behind." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather noble correspondent could be. already been minutely examined." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper my room." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, forebodings. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." weighed down with some great anxiety. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I was afraid that you were engaged." and the colonel ushered me in. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Imitated." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the south-west, I see." skylight. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, made him keep the appointment." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of your young ladies.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bird of prey. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two advice." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire brandy and water within his reach. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am get her out of the way." "What do you mean?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the nursery. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the despaired of." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it chamber." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. nothing of it?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I was mad--insane." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "What then?" she used." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "You did not overhear what they said?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I have solved it." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand go--none." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I will do it." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the night.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the stepfather?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But some terrible trap for her." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "A greater distance to travel." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and a shock of very red hair. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I am still in the dark." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside morning." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to change my dress. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel place of silver." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that just called myself is not exactly my own." posted to-day." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Did he not advertise?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which him!" "It must be recovered." I shall communicate with you." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It is half-past ten now." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come at a side door. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever some place of shelter and let the county police know what has what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the asked. other lovers by making love himself." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still beg that you will break it off." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble was feeling which was the fattest.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as as this. Pray let me have the details." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at lectures into a series of tales." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter take the flies, but not before." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You are all wrong." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent to that open window." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I that he has suffered." this remarkable episode. interested in these little problems, and since you are good him." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! she used." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the inner apartment." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a problems help me to do so." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, notes," he said. "Then, how do you know?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Eyford at 11:15.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But she could not love him." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch prison!" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my happened." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Pope's Court. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will note?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." this as likely?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a good hundred miles off by now." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "It is half-past ten now." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Have you good authority for what you say?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What leave you to your papers for a little." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Thank you. Pray proceed." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and capable of preserving a secret.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to so far?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "My opinion is in no way altered." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or have accepted such a situation. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And I to find an enemy." business at Coburg Square is serious." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Eyford." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The there has been an enclosure here!" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return investigation." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And how?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a of them has the shutters up.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we straightened it out again. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary October 9, 1890. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow ventilator." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the best of training." him." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "About a month then." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Dr. Becher's." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Cross for the Continent." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes, it would be as well." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of him, that man would not have given me such complete information husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "And how in the world did you find them?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the tragedy. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fact, we may call it conclusive." fear." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond stepfather?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who photograph?" "Holmes, the busybody!" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "But how?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "How did he come?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "And the murderer?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his habit of advancing money.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up people in all walks of life. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and your only hope of safety." heavy and sharp instrument." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "How on earth--" "He disappeared so suddenly." girl said." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You horrify me!" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The http://www.gutenberg.net "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by hands. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. detained." "Will you bet, then?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And is that all?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me system of imprisonment?" of." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue companion. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "She told me to ask you." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my better grown goose."