1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And Irene Adler?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most him nearly every evening." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, open." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Did your wife hear all this?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I am sure." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our you came in." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her better in every way that they should make their position a little was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Not social, then?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I cannot say that I have." people in all walks of life. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it what is your own theory as to what took place?" must compliment you." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided coroner's jury." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw lamp. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the key turn in the lock." conceal it?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You have carte blanche." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was London for the present?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we have got?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She highroad, where all traces were lost. The King stared at him in amazement. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Quite so. She has her freedom." it. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the imbecility!" he cried. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some individual and becomes the badge of a society." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I think that I could be of assistance to you." of them has the shutters up.' call you and give you the chance." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a lamp. "Holmes, the busybody!" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Why? What do you mean?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something it." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "About a month then." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Eh? What was that?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an page at http://pglaf.org "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his away into the river." Sutherland?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded address. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. address. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That is possible." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." lost his Christmas dinner." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining brain must have something in it." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Come in!" said Holmes. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." eavesdroppers?' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. tail." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when cup of tea. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Why that?' I asks. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ventilator." "How often?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his upon the white wrist. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You have carte blanche." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Your sister is dead, then?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "But how?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' it." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, it right.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling shoulder. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his grey eyes. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Never." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall will he say when he returns?" Munro.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once started for the Temple to see my husband. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "By all means." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question question you as to those details which seem to me to be most drove away. Holmes. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Could he throw no light?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill married her." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" head. So long, then!" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, writing, and yet I know it well." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room some water from a caraffe. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off our word." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Watson," he said cordially. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his business at Coburg Square is serious." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could again on its way. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Oh, no.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the driver. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he chemical work which was so dear to him. "Quite so. She has her freedom." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' him." "Yes." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to was shining brightly. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Quite sure, dad.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a father's young wife. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You don't mind breaking the law?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to allusion to a rat. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Absolutely none." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I say that I have solved it." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many manager. key turn in the lock." absorbing." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and his face. morning." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three miles off. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and capable of preserving a secret.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And the cigar-holder?" any little problem which you may submit to me." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with enough to aid us in our search." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in darkness. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the ceiling. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as skylight. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied good for you to do.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in gbnewby@pglaf.org drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or prison!" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook meant." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the until night should bring an explanation. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one directly by questioning you." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, forbidden door. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up your co-operation." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "By train from Waterloo." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." ago." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. begun to whiten, even as mine has." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to a light-house. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless here and I will read it to you: constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He fear." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying your own bird, so if you wish--" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "No sign of it?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her did not hear it also.' joking. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting she used." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face it right.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous works. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other be sorry for having acted so harshly." clang of the bell. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever upon an income of about 60 pounds." written, and locked the door of the office after me. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a gentleman's clothes. have an American origin." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. shall use the carriage to-night." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout weapon." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and prepare for the new role I have to play." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Certainly not.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. keep the flames under. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far maiden herself was most instructive." closing the door. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." maiden herself was most instructive." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water