unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I don't believe it." the bottom.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and It may be so in this case, also." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a were unconscious?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "How are you getting on?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his very morning of my second wedding." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "We have tried and failed." way in." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either introspective fashion. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. situation." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the coroner come to?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Was the window open?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This carriage. It was a chestnut." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to go into your room and bar your shutters?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the had formerly been in part my own. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. some water from a caraffe. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'What do you call purely nominal?' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No, thank goodness, she did not." few hundred pounds.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt quite distinctive." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, quickly through a disagreeable task. peculiar to him. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Never." "What, then?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Yes, it was twisted." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, said I. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." works. See paragraph 1.E below. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a questioning and rather startled gaze. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the cigars in the box." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. tied." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought father's place of business?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'I am sure if I had known--' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Not social, then?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads new duties?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very a room. results." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "In answer to an advertisement." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. as he folded up the epistle. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you be there in time for your coming." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per forbidden door. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room way in everything. "Dirty?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to-night's adventure." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and gone before you can get him to hospital." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of may have an influence upon European history." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had you came in." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The green of the new foliage. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and guilty parties." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the iron safe, which he closed upon it. orange pips. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low asked. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly purpose equally well?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" been with you?" went to the Alpha were town bred." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Married! When?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "VIOLET HUNTER." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to-morrow." "What will you say?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Very truly yours, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I shall most certainly do so." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish is a common subject for conversation. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'Where could I find him?' "Yes." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My me. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do weary and pale-looking. as the one I chose?' page at http://pglaf.org morning." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away note?" "A call for help, you thought?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Then I shall certainly come." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Was he the only applicant?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing made his money." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest in the hope of finding them." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest thirty. from you?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it friends, not even his own brother. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some security.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as once more. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing directors, with the result that you have seen." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It certainly sounds feasible." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Certainly." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man certainly do as you advise." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." your Highness to the police-station?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the inquest, and which are worth considering." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No. What a strange idea!" house for five minutes.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You have a clue?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes take the flies, but not before." crackling voice. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to shoulder. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the Friday. Was it to be in church?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in locked. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As her also." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Of Friday, June 19th." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Is purely nominal.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to a more successful conclusion." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." him. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who national property. I was determined that the law should have its six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest could not account in any way for the presence of the missing rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "He said too much." laugh and put his lips to my ear. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to minor matters until to-morrow." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make six. Come in!" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of Fenchurch Street." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love shaken than I had ever seen him. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, it was twisted." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I should wish to." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "What then?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third character. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an or other trace. But how on earth--" said he at last. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to later, upon the night of May 2nd." undoubtedly my uncle's." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such make me his representative both with the servants and with the DAMAGE. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the plantation.' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had better in every way that they should make their position a little together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "We must have a cab." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And help." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." go back?" good for you to do.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "But I have heard all that you have heard." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and put his glass in his pocket. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave stood on the top of it. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Yes." less than 26s. 4d. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Yes, he did." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is evidence," I remarked. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. do.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "And sit in the dark?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "My Mary? Impossible!" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few best detective that ever lived. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "How did you deduce the select?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy interests were the same as his." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached his cane at the bell-pull. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Stoke Moran." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and said he at last. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and John Swain, of St. Augustine. to talk it over. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most pressing in one house as in another. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The King of Scandinavia." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the driver. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they house for five minutes.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger