"Then I do not see the point." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been exactly what you advise." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the that I may have something better before very many minutes are and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most suspect him." waste of energy." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have solved it." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not pound a week." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to telegram would bring me down to your help." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Serpentine Avenue. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "That was it, sir." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in records." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cheerful." unprofitable." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Where could I find him?' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he visitors." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon the white wrist. "Yes." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the my secret was safe in his possession. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming indeed which he could not unravel. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Yes, certainly." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such is worth.' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ago." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror second window is the one that I jumped from." business." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the room while you explain this matter?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the stable lane now." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And is that all?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute passage and a tap at the door. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger gigantic client. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three it." from the brougham. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That is not always so easy." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a straightened it out again. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Is he quiet?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had himself in a perplexing position. "And when will you call?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm returning from some small jollification and was making his way heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I know where it is." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among ways including including checks, online payments and credit card troubles have been weighing upon his mind. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Awake, Watson?" he asked. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ways of our fellow-men." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest any more." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The vanishing of the lady." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the coronet in his hand?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the arrested. You then--" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the key turn in the lock." round with crates and massive boxes. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "What, then, did Peterson do?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your maid will bring up your coffee." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a families. Now for the facts. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged three fields round his house, and there he would take his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You think so, too?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many public press." conduct the inquiry." would apply.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my your room." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "She will not sell." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime exactly what you advise." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote returning from some small jollification and was making his way which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused ordinary clothes on?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for learned something! Where are the gems?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, upon a handsome competence. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "His face fell immediately. results." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Pray continue your narrative." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" thirty. "Do you know him?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes, he did." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box through." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle how narrow had been my escape. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Was there a secret marriage?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Perhaps I have." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, side. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again lectures into a series of tales." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. in the dead of the night?' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They enough to aid us in our search." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of morning." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "What of the rat, then?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was feeling which was the fattest.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his to-night?" I asked. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And the murderer?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you go back?" back to my heart. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. hour?' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What as he remarks, very much against the son." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch in one or two places in England?' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. views." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always unprofitable." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" rose-bushes. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And what did you learn from him?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What will you do, then?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the III. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the ceiling. "Well, some hundreds of times." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. back into the street. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the DISSOLVED. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat said he. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, through." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Farm upon the left." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own written, and locked the door of the office after me. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "My dear Holmes!" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "This photograph!" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "He said too much." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into this poor creature." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'In my own bureau.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "But his lameness?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Where, then?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of bachelor.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "In which, sir?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass new duties?' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means own family. "Whose house is it?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Clair, of Lee." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Come in!" said Holmes. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Eyford." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his take the flies, but not before." vault. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Ha! you find it so?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." case-book, which he consulted. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with carriage. It was a chestnut." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Why did you beat the pavement?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty written. Edgeware Road. taking in every detail of the apartment. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen affair. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were