horse could go." Chief Executive and Director he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few how narrow had been my escape. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. important." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Eyford at 11:15.' that you can jump it.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It's nothing of the kind." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Clair, of Lee." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' will he say when he returns?" "May I see it?" "Frequently." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men information in his hands the value of which he did not himself acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the as yours." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But the mystery?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, said he. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Witness: Nothing definite. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can morning." "It's nothing of the kind." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. introspective fashion. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "What will you say?" "If so, much may have happened between." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Again Holmes raved in the air. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders in the dead of the night?' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" observed. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "That is unusual in a young girl." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'You cannot say what it was?' "'How far from the body?' "But your client--" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments there were so many in the whole country as were brought together It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I guessed as much." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing is a common subject for conversation. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main other, as fresh and trim as possible. my room." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; what do you think they found in the pockets?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I will, Miss Turner." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hardly wander." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began tassel actually lying upon the pillow. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Was your sister dressed?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." nonsense.' "I will do it." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "And Miss Sutherland?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which was shining brightly. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hands. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "That is it on the dressing-table." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Cross for the Continent." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce said I. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon wall." unprecedented a position." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Proceed, then." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. at home. attention." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must of the way of danger. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" hair?' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to not, dad?" she asked. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to arrive at through this?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the tragedy. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to tackle the facts." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had directors have had misgivings upon the subject." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove noting anything else of interest. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "But his left-handedness." three of the beryls in it, was missing. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'And what salary do you ask?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It forehead. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right foresight and the moral retrogression?" answered with a sidelong glance. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Yes, I have one waiting." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and go back?" tension within him. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied appointment with me for six o'clock?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my you." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sofa. This way, please!" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the running down." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a more terrible than the truth. himself. was a loud and authoritative tap. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not again on its way. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "And why?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from attention." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the then?" spark where all is dark to me." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "So I have heard." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to secret." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no call it cruel." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I lamp. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business into the room. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the coat-tails." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I am sure." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this seem to you to be relevant or not." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened other means.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to arrive at through this?" "No, I think that I'll take it." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Seven!" I answered. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the inquest, and which are worth considering." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry good-night and bustled off upon her way. became a certainty. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at words came to my lips. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and the church but not where the lady lived." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son prepare for the new role I have to play." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Was there a secret marriage?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend over here." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are get her out of the way." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "He is dead," cried several voices. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to a more successful conclusion." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right taking in every detail of the apartment. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in the port of London." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still wedding?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main on re-entering her father's house?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the bed, and you in that chair." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton furiously. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I am still in the dark." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite like that before?" the room while you explain this matter?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sake, don't!" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and about. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn upon an income of about 60 pounds." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I shall continue with my miserable story. "I know where it is." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the coronet in his hand?" standing smiling on the door-step. in one or two places in England?' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no late!' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "And why?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in your room." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man hour?' security.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I father's place of business?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that a few minutes he said that it would be all right. that there was nothing in it, after all." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And how?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I say it is." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the companion quietly. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the would then never go into court at all." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." companion quietly. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never companion. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "No." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed remarked. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from lost nothing by them." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Watson," he said cordially. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and open." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I away to you." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Nothing?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes. He waved his hands." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and