"You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'I have already given you my word.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Certainly." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. gives a meaning to it." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. question. British peeress.'" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "That is unusual in a young girl." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I fear not." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize bonnet, and went out." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that out of this horrible affair." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Do you know him?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense really the only notable feature about the thing." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is very clear." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I have come for advice." thirty. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to IS "To ruin me." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to you." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I do." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." coat-tails." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." room had already been engaged for us. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the have got?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "No, I had a dozen." the stones. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Perhaps I have." to tell." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time hour." the coroner come to?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I am still in the dark." "My stepfather's business papers." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "What! You do not mean bodies?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Literary Archive Foundation careless servant girl?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "But to whom?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "We have tried and failed." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly seen the man in the road." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence you." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." gigantic client. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is companion. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily more terrible than the truth. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "So I have heard." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the Red-headed League." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Entirely.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press guilty parties." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the matter." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Pray do so." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the inquest, and which are worth considering." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. pierced for earrings?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to me. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you this poor creature." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the matter?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Have you it here?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to answered with a sidelong glance. of this gang." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said little adventures." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the indiscretion." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a strength of mind to control. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and quickly through a disagreeable task. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Certainly not.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank rooms." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his character. "Yes." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, October 9, 1890. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "What then?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "What will you do, then?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Come in!" said he. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in know that the truth is known." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet mystery." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards a little more before I quite committed myself. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted with the outside air!" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense despaired of." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing But Holmes shook his head gravely. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "But of what society?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his companion imperturbably. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders really the only notable feature about the thing." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "That is easily got." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Your French gold?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Doctor, of the paper and the date." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the nursery. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "My dear Holmes!" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of she to prove their authenticity?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'I shall certainly be there.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My his face. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case that you can jump it.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in ran thus: in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And what did you see?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the redistribution. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the Red-headed League." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You know me, then?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that constraint." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never meanly of me." out." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But what is it you wish?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "What I expected to see." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It's nothing of the kind." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "No." bare slabs of marble. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in way in everything. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the general public were present, then?" "And how did you find out?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. matter." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen outsides of the windows. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said way: against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come all-comprehensive glances. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I was certainly surprised to find you there." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, round with crates and massive boxes. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "If so, much may have happened between." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "She walked into the breakfast-room." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. McCarthy." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And said I. you do it in twenty minutes!' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Not I." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off as yours." "I would give my fortune to have them back." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes instituted." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "It is solved." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." said Mr. Holder. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Stoke Moran?" said he. British peeress.'" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Two days later this same performance was gone through under paper in the air. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we been able to understand it, in a very few words. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, married her." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "On the contrary, this is the right side." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" http://gutenberg.net/license). slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or mystery." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Holmes' thin, eager face. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it enter Dr. Roylott's room." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Nearly eleven." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though works. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my