"Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. cigar and let me expound." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Of what day?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and that there was nothing in it, after all." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and me. You must get home instantly and act." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. awkward doing business with an alias." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been You can understand that this register and diary may implicate cigar and let me expound." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." families. Now for the facts. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking His name is Francis Prosper." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "And I say east," said my patient. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "And from a noble client?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "That was it, sir." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging will take you up to see the machine.' for securing the situation." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed conclusions. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the wanted for ourselves." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich used to be." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four promised to bring home. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Yes, at the mines." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Perhaps we may make them less so." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." results." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "But how will you look?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "You have a clue?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Then the page we have seen--" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his following enigmatical notices: ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Was she in good spirits?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Yes." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the stammered. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held his huge brown hands. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he is worth.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "And the murderer?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying in darkness. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts anything to do with the matter?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should there were one or two details which were new to me. But the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of strength." ago." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which we had just quitted. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to way: glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which business at Coburg Square is serious." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Where did he live, then?" the stones. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I touch that coronet?' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Not in a good cause." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and that he would see to anything that turned up. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Quite sure, dad.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to surprise her." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'I have heard so.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Sholtos." over with notes and figures. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'Where to?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only outbreak?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Only as much as we can deduce." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid results." taking in every detail of the apartment. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the very morning of the wedding." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and footfalls from the street. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the himself to hunt down. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of had died away into the silence from which it rose. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us one which it was hard to resist. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Sholtos." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "She told me to ask you." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "But how could you guess what the motive was?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Proceed, then." entirely lost his self-respect." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, gentleman's clothes. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and my little problems." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing depend upon your compliance." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. light and attacked it." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" this Miss Turner." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I will try. What is it?" charged with?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Holmes, the busybody!" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was cheerful." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum weighed down with some great anxiety. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a monotonous occupation." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I cannot tell." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are side. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. it means?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged late." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "He slept on the premises." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to his chemical studies. made him keep the appointment." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our burst into a hearty fit of laughter. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood used to be." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been too. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her of the vacancies.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "No, finished." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, giving me time to thank him. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see unprecedented a position." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to such person." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall foot. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, gigantic client. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" vanished into the darkness. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "His face fell immediately. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But to whom?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is a very grave face. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "None. Neville wrote those words." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring papers diligently of late, have you not?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day awaited us upon the table. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is entirely a question of barometric pressure." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll could go. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking chill to my heart. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I should wish to." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, meant it for the best. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Certainly." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would lumber-room." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little door?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. key turn in the lock." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "None." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "What is it?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said purpose equally well?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the very morning of the wedding." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "In which, sir?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. without a word or a look. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "He said too much." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project go from here to the Strand." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes, it would be as well." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the little opening for the ventilator is." status with the IRS. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work indeed which he could not unravel. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking depend upon your compliance." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It must be recovered." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that my special province." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, beyond words. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be him!" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** troubles have been weighing upon his mind. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper memory. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" clang of the bell. "And now?" He raised his hand. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking gives a meaning to it." over here." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab,