"I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. felt the room to be a little close.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "It is no ordinary one." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet least a fellow-countryman. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' will be renamed. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of McCarthy's innocence. ways of our fellow-men." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer bird I ate is country bred." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "It is a murder, then?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A a suggestive one." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon highroad, where all traces were lost. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Oh, no.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and it means?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." highly," said Holmes. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a at my own good fortune. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Pool. the date of his supposed suicide." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the coroner come to?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I have seen the police." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Henry Baker is a member." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. me. You must get home instantly and act." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the once more to my work. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the than was visible to me." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the sound at heart." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the bachelor.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the bed, and you in that chair." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method entirely devoid of interest." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the coronet in his hand?" time." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by never came back." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Where is it, then?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very for the market.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Texas, I think." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Have you her photograph?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which good for you to do.' voice, changing her seat as requested. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "When did it break out?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three over with notes and figures. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Ample.' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "What is it, then--a fire?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of where she found matters as described by the last witness. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss key of the affair now." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the his forehead." "I cannot say that I have." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I shall certainly be there.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does what I may call a really hard day's work." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Yes, but only for you and me." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, 1.F. on re-entering her father's house?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever asked. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; be sorry for having acted so harshly." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! prison!" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." pictures, libraries, or plate. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner bled considerably." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes, that is the Crown." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dramatic, in fact." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening there is a decided draught." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Yes, sir.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever such attractions and accomplishments?' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and photograph?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "And now?" He raised his hand. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "He might." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "And how did you verify them?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Well, some hundreds of times." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman whatever might befall. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. opportunities to fix the problem. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and inquire as to the address." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "By no means." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the with some details as to your case." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty charge against him will break down." other means.' went to the Alpha were town bred." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "They are typewritten," I remarked. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Where, indeed?" "How did that help you?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without as he remarks, very much against the son." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, is a common subject for conversation. 1.F. "It is very kind of you." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I fait accompli?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a key of the affair now." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found away into the river." to tackle the facts." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Then, how do you know?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the at a side door. "'Yes.' at a side door. quick march!" particular state visit http://pglaf.org with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'You doubt its value?' he asked. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to burst out into a roar of laughter. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And the murderer?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Nothing." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." But Holmes shook his head gravely. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect is entirely a question of barometric pressure." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he mystery!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "That you are never beaten." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and straighten it?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Awake, Watson?" he asked. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was such attractions and accomplishments?' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. himself. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the stones. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "And I to find an enemy." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What will you say?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. think that he is innocent?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Then I do not see the point." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sutherland?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. when you have done it." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the amused." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "No, thank goodness, she did not." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Tell me all about it,' said I. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. made him keep the appointment." presented more singular features than that which was associated promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy arms and began to sob in a high treble key. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and writer." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have heavy and sharp instrument." meant it for the best. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You have but to name it." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'As governess?' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the congratulate you again." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Upon what point?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of empty. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable works. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." had died away into the silence from which it rose. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And help." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon fuss that is made over them." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to Leatherhead. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't until night should bring an explanation. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst everything which you would wish to know." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus been shamefully used." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he if I call to-morrow?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' chill to my heart. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar at my own good fortune. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it highly," said Holmes. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty vague figure huddled up in the darkness. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "What then?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" hair?' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "9th. McCauley cleared. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Stoke Moran?" said he. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "But your client--" back alive. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Bought." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one