for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I am armed." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so article?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "No?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. depend upon my doing so.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a himself. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This page at http://pglaf.org much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Dr. Becher's." is," said he presently: I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to miss it." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There corner of the building. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without weapon." place of silver." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right particular state visit http://pglaf.org congenial hunt. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before my secret was safe in his possession. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary article?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. forebodings. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and the church but not where the lady lived." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You horrify me!" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or McCarthy's innocence. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a for the market.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will figure." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously in the port of London." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Yesterday." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Witness: I must still refuse. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. did not hear it also.' "And what then?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and intrusion of other matters." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." know that the truth is known." is acting for the best. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "We have tried and failed." unkempt, staring out at me. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his leave you to your papers for a little." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which October 9, 1890. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Has he come with you to-night?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who past. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found outside." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fattened it expressly for you.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which our visitor detailed to us. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "One of the highest in England." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Not particularly." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." them present such singular features as the strange train of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that closing the door. said he. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I am in hopes that she does." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Perfectly so." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And why?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Your sister is dead, then?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "But what will you do?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have closing the door. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an astonishment. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes thought that she would have been so carried away." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. became a certainty. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his walking." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say prisoner's face. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm hereditary King of Bohemia." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Absolutely none." "My last client of the sort was a king." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a chill to my heart. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And why in hopes?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the bed, and you in that chair." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, look dissatisfied." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "But of what society?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "No legal papers or certificates?" emerged. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since ill-usage at the hands of fortune. out." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." easy-going way." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "It was an hour's good drive." is," said he presently: "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and better grown goose." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for present strange and interesting features that it is no easy He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Holmes' thin, eager face. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several mystery may be cleared along those lines." figure." the tragedy. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you more solid." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that I can to serve you." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even certainly do as you advise." careless servant girl?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of the vacancies.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, outside. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "A call for help, you thought?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "VIOLET HUNTER." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built his forehead." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." passage and a tap at the door. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to later, upon the night of May 2nd." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. not within a twentieth part of the market price." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes." and a shock of very red hair. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Precisely." "'Then let me do so?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the will he say when he returns?" room. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "None." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I will try. What is it?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside orange pips. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which III. "What?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen six. Come in!" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "And the murderer?" third from London." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "No." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Witness: I must still refuse. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced better in every way that they should make their position a little your most interesting statement." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "And leave your case unfinished?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is very clear." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added indeed which he could not unravel. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge woman." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white least a fellow-countryman. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "He disappeared so suddenly." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "How can you tell that?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. of Mr. Rucastle's." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door nice household for a young lady." province." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only troubles have been weighing upon his mind. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Most admirably.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was keenly on my guard against him. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an desk. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or never will be, entirely cleared up. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the little opening for the ventilator is." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, breakfast?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling DISSOLVED. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the station." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "What! a murderous attack?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, ceremony." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." corner of the building. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'There is a drive, then?' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank,