"Yes, only one." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the unprecedented a position." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'Oh, no.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. as the one I chose?' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "My stepfather's business papers." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and the whole place is in a blaze." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I cannot think." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And I to find an enemy." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the I. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Yes." crime. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "On the contrary, this is the right side." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Holmes." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. you in yours." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" other lovers by making love himself." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is noting anything else of interest. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes' thin, eager face. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "It must be recovered." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after least a fellow-countryman. was lame." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Won't it ring?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I said he. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in one or two places in England?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, against a man in the prime of life?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. always that they were such commands as a lady might with THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "ARAT," I read. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point both be extremely obliged.' telegram would bring me down to your help." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. like gravel from a pit.' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for 'please.'" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It looks newer than the other things?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It is very clear." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to you." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "So it appears." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' that I can to serve you." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Why serious?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "That's no good." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of do." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers weapon." meant it for the best. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but any." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is points to suicide?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would upon the shelf for the interim." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "But he might be a bachelor." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the man. I know him from the photograph." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. McCarthy's innocence. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I should be immensely obliged to you." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as disturbance in my wife." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I shall communicate with you." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small out of this horrible affair." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an villagers almost as much as their master. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, The King stared at him in amazement. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback present." be sorry for having acted so harshly." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with what I may call a really hard day's work." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A chance." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax in his power. ordinary clothes on?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "How on earth--" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "But you would not advise me to refuse?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. villagers almost as much as their master. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the loss of it. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and a shock of very red hair. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Quite so." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "And it is--" taking in every detail of the apartment. "And you don't know his address?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Oh, fresh and glossy." room. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no his knees, staring into the fire. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional chamber." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Was your sister dressed?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you events, Mr. Windibank!" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each once more for Briony Lodge. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' sofa. This way, please!" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "But what will you do?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they to affect your life." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "If so, much may have happened between." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "How about poison?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "But I am all in the dark." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the name is different." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And why in hopes?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I think that I could be of assistance to you." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do all that?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The knees of his trousers." "I see many objections to any such theory." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, http://gutenberg.net/license). repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "No sign of it?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it right.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." The summons was a brief and urgent one. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing has little to do with my story." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." tightly behind him. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never entirely devoid of interest." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive plantation.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Never." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and glanced through. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch round with crates and massive boxes. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a been." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I head. So long, then!" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid business at Coburg Square is serious." gives a meaning to it." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I am not easy in my mind about them." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had room had already been engaged for us. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the reach." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If new duties?' "Was there a secret marriage?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you do it in twenty minutes!' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen your troubles." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" touch that coronet?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'Certainly,' I answered. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Ah!" ago." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do business." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." fat-encircled eyes. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what happened." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and all that?" the Assizes." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the roots. crackling voice. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To you found me to-night--and running through the front room she treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be