this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "We have tried and failed." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the driver. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, burst out into a roar of laughter. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And why?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "No." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Holmes rather sternly. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on sake, don't!" "What will you do, then?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw detained." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more question. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." train.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" your room." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Was he the only applicant?" window when the police appeared." to talk it over. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "What steps will you take?" I asked. you." were new raised from a basin. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United late!' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the you." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Precisely." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had place no limit on the sum I may draw." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich nonsense.' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he nothing of it?" "'Where to?' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own standing smiling on the door-step. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Murdered?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and towards the blaze. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be behind me. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was brain must have something in it." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have had none more fantastic than this." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Where, then?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Breckinridge is his name." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should delirious. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Mrs. Toller serenely. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, which our visitor detailed to us. "'In my own bureau.' "'Very good.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I assure you that I am in your hands." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "What do you mean?" "Ha! you find it so?" "Get out!" said he. or other trace. But how on earth--" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." made his money." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Ha! you find it so?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "No, finished." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it matter over." "VIOLET HUNTER." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "What shall I do?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "No, I think that I'll take it." redistribution. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to present." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "And it is--" washing it down with a long draught of water. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little yourselves in at night?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "10th. John Swain cleared. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Her father is very rich?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Dr. Becher's." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to DISSOLVED. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "But not more so than I to find you." status with the IRS. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Doctor, of the paper and the date." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be could not account in any way for the presence of the missing lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "What office?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. advice." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "A call for help, you thought?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Where to?' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "It is true that I have been generally successful." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. you." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have instituted." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as For additional contact information: been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Stolen, then." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute maiden herself was most instructive." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to his chemical studies. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for nice household for a young lady." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of during which he might have communicated with his friend the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress singular points about the case. What did the police think of the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable without success. At last the little money which I had saved began have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue comes from the middle window." "The Cedars?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so pressing in one house as in another. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and glanced through. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able exactly what you advise." http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, You want to know what became of those geese?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Nothing?" door?" bled considerably." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "No, distinctly professional." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, three fields round his house, and there he would take his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all weary and pale-looking. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have might have a private word with us. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you want, then?' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the iron safe, which he closed upon it. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I took the paper from him and read as follows: have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of interest. They are important, you understand, without being to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "None." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt used to be." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of note?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I shaken than I had ever seen him. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a photograph?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must congratulate you again." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" chill to my heart. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." tension within him. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" me." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Not in the least." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no interested in these little problems, and since you are good Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the pressing in one house as in another. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Then you may be so with me." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned coat-tails." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Was there a secret marriage?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be appeared upon the scene." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to for its centre. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them tapping his fingers upon the table. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "No, finished." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided get the tickets." "Yes, it was twisted." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the dangers which encompass me." what these perils are?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You think that he is dead?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It certainly sounds feasible." Pope's Court. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never both be extremely obliged.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own