his face. go--none." entirely lost his self-respect." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men know what is wrong with it.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the character. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'You cannot say what it was?' shall use the carriage to-night." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I shall communicate with you." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Surrey." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the so-precious time, but come!' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may could go. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was affair. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I am still in the dark." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as unprecedented a position." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said way in everything. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And why in hopes?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as noiselessly as she had come. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "10th. John Swain cleared. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she John Swain, of St. Augustine. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in a friendly supper." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. client, rising. "I promise," said Holmes. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Where does the thing come from?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of noble correspondent could be. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, tightly behind him. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Not yet." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You have a clue?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And on what day did he meet his death?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I will not look." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? companion. "Then what has happened to him?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I don't believe it." "My private note-paper." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'Certainly,' I answered. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "ARAT," I read. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of think that any burglar could have done. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said arms and began to sob in a high treble key. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of congenial hunt. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "What then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he your sleep?' Farm upon the left." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me in darkness. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to talk it over. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I cannot imagine." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." note?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed until night should bring an explanation. "Upon what point?" them?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features here." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt be sorry for having acted so harshly." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he crowd. IS seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very suddenly upon us." for the market.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes, it was twisted." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove went to the Alpha were town bred." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "That you are never beaten." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could vault. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Where, indeed?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Yes." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And what did you see?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Pray continue your narrative." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Certainly, madam." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "What! a murderous attack?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing be. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the night.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His gigantic client. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Pray do so." paper in the air. never came back." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to public press." intrusion of other matters." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by sit on the left-hand side of the driver." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and cheerful." into the bag, and made for the door. trifles." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a as noiselessly as she had come. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his forehead." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and head. So long, then!" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and said I. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as joking. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of that you wished to speak to me?' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Quite so." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like everything which you would wish to know." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. will take you up to see the machine.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the formed some opinion?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Whose house is it?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed you in your example." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "He said that you could solve anything." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far know all about it," he snarled. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Look there!" said he. the child." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "But you would not advise me to refuse?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I cannot imagine." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was breakfast?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's helping a boy to put up the shutters. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, again before evening." always that they were such commands as a lady might with back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I showing my impatience. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seven miles from Eyford Station.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away I think that I could be of assistance to you." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity trying to your nerves." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to tackle the facts." wife's character?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "He slept on the premises." "But how?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Why did you pick him?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to that open window." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." bedroom door." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived it right.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew side. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." envelope. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "But she could not love him." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given of his shoulders. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a presented more singular features than that which was associated had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever as he remarks, very much against the son." past. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that he has suffered." was a loud and authoritative tap. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and your most interesting statement." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into room?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "It was."