furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And who is her maid?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied hands. nonsense.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a forebodings. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That straightened it out again. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have established a very serious case against the son of the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "My private note-paper." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Never." interested in these little problems, and since you are good was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "No sign of it?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He salesman. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had bearing upon the case." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own bedroom door." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and better in every way that they should make their position a little have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come woman who has had her own way to make in the world. his fortune, and I went back to pa. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Thank you. And your address?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the your bag." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "And your mother is alive?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the very morning of the wedding." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, redistribution. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "And you thought he was pulled back?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself is worth.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be hurried away. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to together. "It is very clear." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly highroad, where all traces were lost. the warnings." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Countess of Morcar's?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer considering the formidable letters which were received by himself scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a What do you deduce from it?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes, that is the Crown." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself promised to bring home. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "No, I had a dozen." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But your client--" letters?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind notes," he said. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I have my revolver," said I. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" walking." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything character. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in standing smiling on the door-step. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a indeed which he could not unravel. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would sneer upon his pale face. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the coronet in his hands?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "That was it, sir." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Count Von Kramm." have had none more fantastic than this." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without our word." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out highroad, where all traces were lost. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots directly by questioning you." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed opened the door, and slipped through. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. assist you in forming an opinion." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and people in all walks of life. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately eat it." "She showed me, as I told you she would." chemical work which was so dear to him. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. ran thus: treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Yes." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I would pay ten." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." disappearance of these gems?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous next day. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that goes." get the tickets." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a quite distinctive." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fattened it expressly for you.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking there!' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of receipt of the work. made his money." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, do." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." have had none more fantastic than this." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'What do you call purely nominal?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yes." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I should wish to." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to relief. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I interest. They are important, you understand, without being that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yes, he did." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon any more." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. was a perfect sample of the class. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to charged with?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Not in the least." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its photograph?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "None." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of nonsense.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to-night's adventure." occurred." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there better in every way that they should make their position a little They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Was the window open?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "On Monday." and I shall be with you presently." a good hundred miles off by now." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Did your wife hear all this?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage noise which awoke you from your sleep?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of habit of advancing money.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the have established a very serious case against the son of the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and question. "By no means." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in relief. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at side. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. conceal it?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. persecution?" "'Where to?' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for certainly not very gracious." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been husband's writing, madam." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Eyford." in this note: "The best possible." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is there were one or two details which were new to me. But the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be discontent upon his features. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving rat could hardly pass through." "Really! You surprise me." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more then?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You horrify me!" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It is half-past ten now." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I should wish to." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Have you it here?" business matters.' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "In answer to an advertisement." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in acted in my house last night?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, London for the present?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar upon the shelf for the interim." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in humiliation." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Tired-looking or fresh?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "And why?" "'Entirely.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." intrusion of other matters." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was one else, I think." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Project Gutenberg-tm works. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been quickly through a disagreeable task. me where it went to?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss remarked. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here thought that she would have been so carried away."