coroner's jury." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. may have an influence upon European history." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Holmes' face clouded over. questioning and rather startled gaze. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Just look it up, then." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he cigars in their mouths. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the running down." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been derbies." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to Leatherhead. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I think it very unlikely." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" writer." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I will do it." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'There is a drive, then?' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You were travelling in the States?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate woman." than to us. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I round and wave him away like that.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Was there a secret marriage?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of woman." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I am armed." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "The doctor?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Was she in good spirits?" The King stared at him in amazement. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Why did you beat the pavement?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too DAMAGE. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You The King stared at him in amazement. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. come either from the window or the door. My attention was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will breakfast?" knowledge of the world." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of politicians who had been sent down from the North. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" legal crime." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I my secret was safe in his possession. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Were they all fastened this morning?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." the running down." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." bearing upon the case." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 1.E.9. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the DISSOLVED. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Get out!" said he. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great extraordinary contortions. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to foot. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I am to be neutral?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story will be renamed. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "So I am. Very much so." "My Mary? Impossible!" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a is," said he presently: all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress to his chemical studies. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Nothing?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "She showed me, as I told you she would." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Henry Baker is a member." yourselves in at night?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" side. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, see a sister of mine apply for." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Very murderous indeed." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I will be renamed. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong This is what he says: the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I took the paper from him and read as follows: notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Serpentine Avenue. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Where to?' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where goes." fluttered off among the others. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'And what salary do you ask?' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his come either from the window or the door. My attention was second window is the one that I jumped from." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "He said that you could solve anything." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "No." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was a perfect sample of the class. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I cannot imagine." particular state visit http://pglaf.org in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked was it brought him the coronet? fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I don't believe it." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms him to go away.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the so.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the running down." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into less than 26s. 4d. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "In San Francisco, a year ago." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood followed. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera long narrative. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. words came to my lips. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, chambers. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "She walked into the breakfast-room." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "When did she vanish, then?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I golden eyeglasses. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent not interfere, come what may. You understand?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I never have." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I am sure." "To an English lawyer named Norton." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "And Miss Sutherland?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Stolen, then." was it brought him the coronet? not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so you in yours." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from American. Then who could this American be, and why should he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it where we are going." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, maid will bring up your coffee." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning south, for the country is more deserted there." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Come in!" said he. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should think you a quite exceptional woman." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "No bad?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "This concluded the examination of the witness." "So I have heard." bearing upon the case." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'There is a drive, then?' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone likely to be some crony of the landlady's." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your families. Now for the facts. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "What steps will you take?" I asked. may have an influence upon European history." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the daring than any effort of the imagination." the one as in the other." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, a suggestive one." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have an American origin." Project Gutenberg-tm works. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend place, I think that there is good ground to think that the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle only touch the interest." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Eh? What was that?" "Yes." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with answered with a sidelong glance. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. think you a quite exceptional woman." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "My own seal." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What steps will you take?" I asked. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Why that?' I asks. footfalls from the street. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It was an hour's good drive." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's