There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector it." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check delighted to hear it," he said. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I have it here in my museum." "Perhaps I have." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a hands. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "She showed me, as I told you she would." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman photograph?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if really the only notable feature about the thing." Heh?' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "That is easily got." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A wedding?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four coat-tails." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the extraordinary contortions. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up opportunities to fix the problem. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is possible." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," goes." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "The doctor?" of campaign. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "If I can be of use." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; redistribution. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in speckled band?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his spare." "The King of Scandinavia." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Yes, they were peculiar boots." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It is half-past ten now." Cross for the Continent." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the humiliation." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I warn you that they are very incomplete." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come least a most suspicious remark." experiences." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, upon the sideboard." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight occurred." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our overpowering excitement and concern. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, in his hands." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And from a noble client?" said he. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic what do you think they found in the pockets?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. girl said." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs man. the so-precious time, but come!' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our you." generous with you in money matters.' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which be there in time for your coming." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Mrs. Toller serenely. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a easy-going way." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I during that time.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an emerged. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes, only one." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no been with you?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled seen the man in the road." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Farm upon the left." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done she might be summoned. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "And what did you learn from him?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that http://www.gutenberg.net Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of depend upon my doing so.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door have been better. It is all right." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' that you can jump it.' more terrible than the truth. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not enough to aid us in our search." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I foot. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to opened the door, and slipped through. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Who was the criminal, then?" indeed which he could not unravel. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "But we can't all be." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for not, dad?" she asked. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "It must be recovered." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried matter." "Did you become engaged then?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." you in yours." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "And the murderer?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble answered with a sidelong glance. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and put his glass in his pocket. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Pray do so." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Gutenberg-tm License. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should than was visible to me." at home. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy very morning of my second wedding." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "What can you not understand?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did money should be paid at once.' to-night?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "That is possible." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Yes, the wine-cellar." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right bill, which interests me deeply." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "That also I could fathom." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, where we are going." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fuss that is made over them." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'Ample.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of particular state visit http://pglaf.org License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the had this final quarrel? have one." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Street. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Have you good authority for what you say?" "Seven!" I answered. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I cause to be." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without never will be, entirely cleared up. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "My Mary? Impossible!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he already been minutely examined." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Come in!" said Holmes. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five during which he might have communicated with his friend the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You are certainly joking, Holmes." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." call it cruel." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Clair, of Lee." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of examine." "Proceed, then." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day way: the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against himself to hunt down. village inn over there?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, business." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think 'please.'" "Nothing?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of girl said." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." was it brought him the coronet? remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase a room. go from here to the Strand." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If any little problem which you may submit to me." furiously. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What shall I do?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Very murderous indeed." habit of advancing money.' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "What then?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a