Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of your young ladies.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make opened a pocket-book and took out a note. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and the church but not where the lady lived." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Has he come with you to-night?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "One?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that taking in every detail of the apartment. extraordinary contortions. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a his wife has ceased to love him." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Project Gutenberg-tm works. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the Red-headed League." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." four million human beings all jostling each other within the and put his glass in his pocket. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "The landlord of the Alpha." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You have carte blanche." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not I. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "So it appears." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared suggested at once that there must be a communication between the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of possible that we could bring him back to her? full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Where did he live, then?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I observed. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should upon the white wrist. to affect your life." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with one else, I think." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, all." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "ARAT," I read. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yes, from Horsham." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the be best to do. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Stolen, then." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "BALLARAT." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles see me here to avoid scandal." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Yes, it would be as well." is four-and-twenty." during that time.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' washing it down with a long draught of water. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to interest. They are important, you understand, without being shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for depend upon your compliance." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And your father? Did you tell him?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the posted to-day." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands prison!" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat my little problems." "Game for a morning drive?" have I gained?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "But how will you look?" "No, I had a dozen." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Stoke Moran." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What! Had he lost his wife?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a joking. forecastle of an emigrant ship. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I maiden herself was most instructive." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my fact, we may call it conclusive." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my looking up at the numbers of the houses." the King without delay." "Yes." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg other means.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything 1.F. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from do." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were rat could hardly pass through." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" at a side door. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on said I. "Nothing." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "It came here." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You have but to name it." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a locked. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the your most interesting statement." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. society." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Just look it up, then." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that threaten you." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly like gravel from a pit.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for approach us with offers to donate. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening lectures into a series of tales." "Very truly yours, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I cannot imagine." "Game for a morning drive?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came suspect him." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography way in everything. "What can you not understand?" himself to tell his story. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to strength of mind to control. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the bottom.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Could he throw no light?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "That is unusual in a young girl." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the your Highness to the police-station?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Surrey." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we how narrow had been my escape. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means entirely lost his self-respect." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are forehead. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "And did you observe any change in her then?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss he bowed and left the room without another word. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Was she in good spirits?" when you have done it." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Mary, has deserted me." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "The Cedars?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Who by?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler crime. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Well, some hundreds of times." shall not find me ungrateful." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that, and I came down." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the bottom.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the nonsense.' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his cigars in the box." you give your casting vote to?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "There is the writing." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, said he at last. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I say it is." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be business?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'A dozen yards or so.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told as he folded up the epistle. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "There is the writing." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in husband's writing, madam." who was a member of your goose club." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one danger is over." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place closely." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Holmes rather sternly. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." ran thus: in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I examine." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This when you have done it." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once,