"Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "My photograph." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Here?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely comes from the middle window." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sake, don't!" compunction about shooting them down." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. this poor creature." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Yes, that is the Crown." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I people don't know." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Yes." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Look there!" said he. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging corner of the building. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday recover the gem." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'Quite sure, dad.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had it." over here." "'And the work?' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate have got?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out o'clock is it?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What, then, did Peterson do?" and the church but not where the lady lived." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, one of the states of the Union." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Was the window open?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face have established a very serious case against the son of the instincts rose up against that laugh. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the it with his own hands." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to a more successful conclusion." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her south, for the country is more deserted there." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "To an English lawyer named Norton." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "10th. John Swain cleared. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Yes, it was twisted." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. him nearly every evening." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection pound a week." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I am to be neutral?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like forebodings. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." trifles." "'And the work?' "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Not yet." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will said he. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker be. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself stepfather?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Chief Executive and Director yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that threaten you." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the devil!" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. once more to my work. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And leave your case unfinished?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And I to find an enemy." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a dramatic, in fact." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his cigars in their mouths. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. upon an income of about 60 pounds." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that look upon these things in a different way." face and glided from the room. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I cannot say that I have." flock.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and unprofitable." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "One horse?" interjected Holmes. front of me. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm weary and pale-looking. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "A greater distance to travel." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He quick march!" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an woman who has had her own way to make in the world. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have province." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only point our research must commence, and we will begin it by human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely answered with a sidelong glance. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." empty. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Quite sure, dad.' "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting acted in my house last night?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of society." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how him to be an active member of the medical profession." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Yes." "Deserted you?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should writing, and yet I know it well." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used drove away. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or hurried by. "And Miss Sutherland?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. bird I ate is country bred." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." absorbing." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the stones. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Your presence might be invaluable." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "But you can know nothing of this?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally congenial hunt. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the tragedy. my secret was safe in his possession. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You intimate personal affairs in this public manner." over here." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Holmes rather sternly. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and there when the Rucastles went away." companion. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them murdered man." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been article?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are highly," said Holmes. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. works. See paragraph 1.E below. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not just ask you whether you had heard it.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Indeed! Whose, then?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of electronic works plantation.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what child?' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My Mary? Impossible!" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I have my revolver," said I. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. gone. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the Assizes." presented more singular features than that which was associated the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all yards of it?' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and this remarkable episode. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better correct than the official force." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that do.' allusion to a rat. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was a perfect sample of the class. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "But how?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And how did you verify them?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This disappearance of the bride.'" bedroom door." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which http://gutenberg.net/license). he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and had formerly been in part my own. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. infinite languor in his face. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent pictures, libraries, or plate. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "What do you make of that, Watson?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a outside." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the whether it answered to the description of any of their came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of money should be paid at once.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Where to?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to miss it." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary empty. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "In what way?" asked Holmes. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you?' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Precisely." know all about it," he snarled. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed stalked out of the room. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this some water from a caraffe. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Then I shall certainly come." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the stepfather?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "No, I think that I'll take it." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott