heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" http://gutenberg.net/license). had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal gigantic client. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in my life." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "You have but to name it." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the ceiling. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his eyes and forehead. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, weary and pale-looking. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that threaten you." annoyance, but no jest. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'What, the red-headed man?' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Mrs. Toller serenely. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite voice. mysterious business." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "There are none." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "My stepfather's business papers." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in not fit the lock." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for even so self-evident a thing as that." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since place, I think that there is good ground to think that the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could important." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary instituted." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which do." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a drawing your inferences." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of something of him before." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bird of prey. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper galvanised. the south-west, I see." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to affect your life." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "And why?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle tell them apart.' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What then?" "It certainly sounds feasible." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Why serious?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things followed. desk. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a nothing of it?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You were travelling in the States?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Indeed! Whose, then?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It is solved." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I cannot as yet see any connection." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of the one which your family is now devouring." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And the murderer?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "But how did you gain them?" "My dear Holmes!" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more friend's singular character. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It came here." criminal. We have already had experience of such." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of depend upon your compliance." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography you, my dear young lady?' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Why did you beat the pavement?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Was he the only applicant?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever upon the shelf for the interim." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" woman." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy been." already been minutely examined." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added late!' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of one of the states of the Union." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. there when the Rucastles went away." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property purpose equally well?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to best detective that ever lived. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help thin, with a long, sharp nose?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have got?" orange pips. there when the Rucastles went away." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But your client--" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "No more words. Get out!" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': behind me. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." even of instruction." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he not within a twentieth part of the market price." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide him." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions was a loud and authoritative tap. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hair?' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of a light. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and put his glass in his pocket. the very morning of the wedding." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the village inn over there?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "A client, then?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six three fields round his house, and there he would take his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with come either from the window or the door. My attention was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Who was the criminal, then?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of the way of danger. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You horrify me!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes excitement. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And on what day did he meet his death?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Entirely." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had room?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "And leave your case unfinished?" "I am to be neutral?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Yes, he did." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like up this clue while it is still hot." "It was." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new fluttered off among the others. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, companion. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good easy-going way." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was away to you." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments highly," said Holmes. "Imitated." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to not come at once?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Edgeware Road. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other villagers almost as much as their master. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Pray continue your narrative." spark where all is dark to me." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his daring than any effort of the imagination." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Very murderous indeed." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, IS might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me again." the coronet in his hand?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and digesting their breakfasts at home." copied or distributed: paper in the air. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Ah!" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the voice. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and asked. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Then how many are there?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does of a light. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "That you are never beaten." "But what is it you wish?" "I came to find a friend." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "10th. John Swain cleared. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'Entirely.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the sofa. This way, please!" invisible to me," I remarked. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Yes." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass nonsense.' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are any little problem which you may submit to me." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of there when the Rucastles went away." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "At half-wages, in fact." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, occurred." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "What is it?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If directors have had misgivings upon the subject." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." read over the extraordinary announcement. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned infinite languor in his face. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of