cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, any." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness strength in the others." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing paper in the air. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Was the window open?" attention." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had our word." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "By no means." "'I have heard so.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this next day. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut begun to whiten, even as mine has." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And why?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Oh, fresh and glossy." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "So I have heard." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Which are?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but a little more before I quite committed myself. Munro.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, call the police, let the police find what they can.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness fuss that is made over them." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded your equipment. could not have written that. It is the German who is so hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. despaired of." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his face which made him a very different person to the round, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San footfalls from the street. stood on the top of it. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a all?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "On your arm?" even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! me have 200 pounds?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Holmes rather sternly. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across way: why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was not a bird to be seen there. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been before, for it was considerably after midnight. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What are they?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If four million human beings all jostling each other within the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to tackle the facts." some city in a dream. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I came to find a friend." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you upon the shelf for the interim." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his felt the room to be a little close.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'And the work?' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I remarked. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I cannot tell." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the coroner come to?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR bare slabs of marble. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Do you go out much in society?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Yes, sir." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wanted for ourselves." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs go--none." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she young Openshaw's." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Not particularly." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else is four-and-twenty." "But you have hopes?" asked. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to some other building. "Yes." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Not yet." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Sutherland. man. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle other means.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "And who is her maid?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It came here." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Proceed, then." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "From his hat?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, situation." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The indiscretion." hair?' "You are hungry," I remarked. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would is worth.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was a lad." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And sit in the dark?" the Red-headed League." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Yes. He waved his hands." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which During two years I have had three consultations and one small in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a really the only notable feature about the thing." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, unprecedented a position." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were salesman. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that I may have something better before very many minutes are Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And that is--" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from four million human beings all jostling each other within the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor green of the new foliage. husband's writing, madam." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me with some details as to your case." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that he has suffered." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. over part of the map. "What do you read?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see we went to search for him, face downward in a little goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that I am arrested." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Thank you. And your address?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I approached. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "And I say east," said my patient. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I companion imperturbably. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "He slept on the premises." For additional contact information: You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I nodded to show that I had heard. only touch the interest." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that American. Then who could this American be, and why should he you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid key of the affair now." "Why did you pick him?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I am following you closely," I answered. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" do.' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Yes." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his me what he had done with the three missing stones. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we such person." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Where does the thing come from?' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly thin, with a long, sharp nose?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a business?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some never will be, entirely cleared up. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased without a word or a look. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to tell." figure." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to that open window." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he question. from you?" hard-headed British jury." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No, thank goodness, she did not." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly newspaper selections." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "At the wedding breakfast." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; events than those which have happened in my own family." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "If so, much may have happened between." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and lost his Christmas dinner." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "How did you trace it, then?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might really the only notable feature about the thing." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold time." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the driver. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with lost his Christmas dinner." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cheerful." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our child?' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a had died away into the silence from which it rose. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the matter." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You horrify me." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Then you may entirely rely on me." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how his wife has ceased to love him." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of