"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." introspective fashion. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Not particularly." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could beyond words. "What have you to say now?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have better in every way that they should make their position a little "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. pound a week." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Then I can wait in the next room." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the window, rose as we entered. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice she slowly sank and died without having recovered her as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "No, but the enclosure is." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I fear not." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which mystery may be cleared along those lines." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to article?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as yours." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes arrangements." looking up at the numbers of the houses." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered in a friendly supper." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not unprecedented a position." the stones. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, distinguish the words: teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a into the bag, and made for the door. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the your only hope of safety." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, business came to an end." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" have had none more fantastic than this." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter very old mansion. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the may have an influence upon European history." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the dangers which encompass me." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and looked back. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the inner apartment." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than instincts rose up against that laugh. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Dr. Gregory B. Newby should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "And your father? Did you tell him?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I should like to see him very much." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have colour had been driven from his face. But Holmes shook his head gravely. chill to my heart. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "That is not always so easy." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You'll never persuade me to believe that." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "If I can be of use." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. IS not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Where did you address your letters, then?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the throat." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are there when the Rucastles went away." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates he bowed and left the room without another word. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my careless servant girl?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Very murderous indeed." said Mr. Holder. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Get out!" said he. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Look there!" said he. "'I have heard so.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the was keenly on my guard against him. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, such attractions and accomplishments?' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." go back?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as October 9, 1890. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her place, I think that there is good ground to think that the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put once more to my work. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and see me here to avoid scandal." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the is so. I know all about McCarthy." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "The Coroner: What do you mean? sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I will, Miss Turner." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining sneer upon his pale face. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Dark enough and sinister enough." distinguish the words: "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of three of the beryls in it, was missing. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "When did it break out?" the Red-headed League." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "How did you deduce the select?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. used to be." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "But she will refuse." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously sound at heart." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It must be recovered." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "He is dead," cried several voices. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every detained." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of them has the shutters up.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Who was the criminal, then?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Dark enough and sinister enough." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what knowledge of the world." that he has suffered." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Miss Holder?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, he. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Precisely." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the Red-headed League." it with his own hands." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must as yours." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No bad?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and the church but not where the lady lived." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I am still in the dark." was a loud and authoritative tap. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem locked. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Not him." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the jewels which you have stolen?' suddenly upon us." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the awkward doing business with an alias." must be when I saw the door open.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am yet." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab third from London." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told round and wave him away like that.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your had died away into the silence from which it rose. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, certainly do as you advise." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. particular state visit http://pglaf.org this Miss Turner." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "But what harm can there be in that?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his directly by questioning you." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as me." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'You cannot say what it was?' "Entirely." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs purpose of examination. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the matter?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the stones. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "How do you know, then?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then I shall certainly come." "But who is he?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Absolutely?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. case before our client came into the room." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you." of the way of danger. "The King of Scandinavia." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman mysterious business." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Ah!" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable have been better. It is all right." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "At half-wages, in fact." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I am about to be married." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" o'clock is it?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "What is it, then--a fire?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had returning from some small jollification and was making his way I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Really! You surprise me." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the so.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "No. His orders were to stay in the house." had this final quarrel? "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then call for protection in the marriage market, for the present bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And leave your case unfinished?" "What will you say?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "The King of Scandinavia." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head