in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Where does the thing come from?' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Yes.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "But I have heard all that you have heard." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, your equipment. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' must be when I saw the door open.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You know me, then?" Edgeware Road. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Was there a secret marriage?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I cannot imagine." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "And sit in the dark?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, think that any burglar could have done. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal forebodings. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Absolutely?" keep the flames under. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "But your client--" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and capable of preserving a secret.' burst out into a roar of laughter. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of yards of it?' your co-operation." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And did you observe any change in her then?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, ago." it." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. woven round him. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "He disappeared so suddenly." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And it is--" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ashen face. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'Most admirably.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether your troubles." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some which it had come upon my father." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' think that he is innocent?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, matter over." married her." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain during that time.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he companion quietly. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and have this put in the evening papers." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible could gather together that I was able to avert another public a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Did he not advertise?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the very morning of the wedding." "You have carte blanche." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I have hopes." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "To an English lawyer named Norton." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But I am all in the dark." "No, I had a dozen." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new your bag." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, at once, for I have only half an hour." Gutenberg-tm License. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Witness: I must still refuse. easy-going way." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in once more to my work. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. with frightened eyes at his accuser. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "But to whom?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But how could you guess what the motive was?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "ARAT," I read. a suggestive one." annoyance, but no jest. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very rose-bushes. "No, I think that I'll take it." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Then how many are there?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, electronic works I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "And Irene Adler?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "In which, sir?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Certainly." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of your young ladies.' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "And Irene Adler?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Yes, from Horsham." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Of what?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to child?' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the words came to my lips. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue attention." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we strong and stiff." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly stammered. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began one's self under obligations.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Of what day?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring prison!" "Really! You surprise me." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," murdered man." gentleman's clothes. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Pope's Court. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And what did you see?" there when the Rucastles went away." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in there has been an enclosure here!" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men room. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, wife's character?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you want, then?' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "That's no good." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at in his hands." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "But what harm can there be in that?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Where does the thing come from?' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered breakfast and whispered something to her husband. License. You must require such a user to return or hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of look dissatisfied." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to-night?" I asked. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I should be immensely obliged to you." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon views." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must of it with the greatest attention. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my secret was safe in his possession. really the only notable feature about the thing." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return pictures, libraries, or plate. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this never came back." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" http://www.gutenberg.net the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I cannot tell." "And what did you learn from him?" Gutenberg-tm License. I shall continue with my miserable story. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and have this put in the evening papers." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Munro.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have not had my rubber." "What, then, did Peterson do?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that you saw all that I did." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Well, but China?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we mystery." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon several quiet little villages up there." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young gentleman's clothes. "Then you may be so with me." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "10th. John Swain cleared. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Have you her photograph?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes whether it answered to the description of any of their and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save when you have done it." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was that I can to serve you." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Where, then?" there has been an enclosure here!" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Yes, sir.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight DISSOLVED. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Well, some hundreds of times." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." were wasted." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "9th. McCauley cleared. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken place of silver." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you problems help me to do so." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her other, as fresh and trim as possible. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon crime. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the room while you explain this matter?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. even so self-evident a thing as that." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you for a few hours?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I unprofitable." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you came in."