however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Have you her photograph?" "It is very kind of you." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'A dozen yards or so.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "That's no good." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I should be immensely obliged to you." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'About the same.' Holmes. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the running down." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to an introduction to him?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Never." remarked. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty might have a private word with us. horse could go." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and laid it on the table. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. like gravel from a pit.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fled together." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and felt the room to be a little close.' "But your client--" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Literary Archive Foundation "But he might be a bachelor." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Very murderous indeed." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "On Monday." an introduction to him?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat affair. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one comes from the middle window." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him morning." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from tear off another piece?' charged with?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Then you may be so with me." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint and looked back. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "May I see it?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of outside." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal most interesting one." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass upon the shelf for the interim." letters?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that woman." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Literary Archive Foundation the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Where does the thing come from?' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge problems help me to do so." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in occurred." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I am not easy in my mind about them." and the whole place is in a blaze." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hurried by. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it enough to aid us in our search." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'And the work?' which it had come upon my father." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. head. So long, then!" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to-night?" I asked. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a have I gained?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There danger is over." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like http://www.gutenberg.net surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 kindly on the shoulder. "Married! When?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I think that it is very probable." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and already referred to. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It husband's writing, madam." good-night and bustled off upon her way. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I don't believe it." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Only as much as we can deduce." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of the one which your family is now devouring." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "So I have heard." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from for its centre. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And I say east," said my patient. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes, at the mines." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I cannot imagine." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "How did he come?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous chambers. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A never came back." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those cigars in the box." have accepted such a situation. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said vanished into the darkness. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Does that suggest anything?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the coroner come to?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in happened." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Was she in good spirits?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "But his lameness?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is throat." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of them has the shutters up.' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more so.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Frequently." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to purpose of examination. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales arms and began to sob in a high treble key. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Eyford at 11:15.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was already answered. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I fear not." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Was there a secret marriage?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' against a man in the prime of life?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Never to return." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Then let me do so?' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a correct than the official force." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY humiliation." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the little trying to do so much typewriting?" my special province." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that problems help me to do so." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself experiences." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the at once, for I have only half an hour." "Texas, I think." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead you want, then?' "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one new acquaintance to Baker Street. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'How far from the body?' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said think that he is innocent?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "She told me to ask you." "He is dead," cried several voices. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no is," said he presently: course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." results." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the station." spark where all is dark to me." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the tragedy. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you give your casting vote to?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "None." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had picked up in the wood. are, I think, all that we need." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the clang of the bell. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "What?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and effective." "And your father? Did you tell him?" You want to know what became of those geese?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' have not had my rubber." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first ordinary clothes on?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this woman." where we are going." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was John Swain, of St. Augustine. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "In which, sir?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Stoke Moran." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a my little problems." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and looked back. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' said Mr. Holder. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your envelope. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until,