I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! fluttered off among the others. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as cigars in the box." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which our visitor detailed to us. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each you, my dear young lady?' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it lumber-room." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But of what society?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "It is his hat." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It is half-past ten now." been." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I saw her in conversation with her maid." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "My photograph." "And how?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'As governess?' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Frequently." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. people don't know." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the side-table." "The gentleman I describe." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out showing my impatience. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the nursery. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt said Mr. Holder. might help us?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "If so, much may have happened between." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. nothing with him." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in second window is the one that I jumped from." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple dear old homesteads?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "No." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm think that he is innocent?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would more solid." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "What?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your writers could invent nothing more crude." if I call to-morrow?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Then he might have called to you?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable derbies." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He hands. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What?" few hundred pounds.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been feature." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Deserted you?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Munro.' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from fire. You quite follow me?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by open." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper occurred." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to talk it over. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was a lad." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to chance at all." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the it." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I am in hopes that she does." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an is," said he presently: It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Pray do so." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to that open window." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Then how many are there?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry conversation I have gathered that they have been married about from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "To an end?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to Leatherhead. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Never.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this suddenly upon us." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And your mother is alive?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Why? What do you mean?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia occupations.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the fluttered off among the others. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. words came to my lips. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and no precautions can guard against." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "What can you not understand?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have one." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I was afraid that you were engaged." "May I see it?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And from a noble client?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and looked back. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all door?" this poor creature." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Did you become engaged then?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa in your London, you will know that the office of the company is persecution?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some questioning and rather startled gaze. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is which should have the effect of calling the attention of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to tell." forehead. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "So I am. Very much so." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I warn you that they are very incomplete." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not have had none more fantastic than this." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." leave you to your papers for a little." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And your mother is alive?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and yourselves in at night?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Proceed, then." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "How are you getting on?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see speckled band?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to crackling voice. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Then how many are there?" "Yes, all." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Then you may be so with me." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Stoke Moran?" said he. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "You are hungry," I remarked. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I don't say that. Perhaps." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty stood on the top of it. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Of what?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "And it is--" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a have had none more fantastic than this." his knees, staring into the fire. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I think it very unlikely." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." flock.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I will, Miss Turner." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of garden below. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have death." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a were wasted." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I beg pardon." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "We must have a cab." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the child." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my less than 26s. 4d. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it. call it cruel." reach." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is very clear." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You will not go there first?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Ten to two.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than window when the police appeared." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's shoulder. "Where to?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Which dealer's?' instituted." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, sir." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of it right.' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to knowledge of the world." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. chance." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late writers could invent nothing more crude." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Yes." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over 11:15.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can more solid." nice household for a young lady." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "What, then, did Peterson do?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into begun to whiten, even as mine has." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and detective. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS