I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some companion. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, down. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "No, finished." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was acted in my house last night?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked better grown goose." meant." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. roused himself from his reverie. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my friend's incisive reasoning. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of province." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then the page we have seen--" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a question," said Holmes, smiling. fled together." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I have my revolver," said I. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Her father is very rich?" Count Von Kramm." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Why did you pick him?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, washing it down with a long draught of water. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, my friend's incisive reasoning. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and happened." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he weary and pale-looking. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "How many? I don't know." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Here?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Leadenhall Street--and--" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora best detective that ever lived. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, man. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "By train from Waterloo." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely at my remark. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I promise," said Holmes. never to learn it at all." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his investigation." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day carriage. It was a chestnut." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, retorted upon me, and I on you." me where it went to?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty weapon." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And I to find an enemy." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Never.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for society." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Yes." washing it down with a long draught of water. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have one." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little guilty parties." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in McCarthy's innocence. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his to you." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came laugh and put his lips to my ear. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she least a fellow-countryman. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six visitors." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for friends, not even his own brother. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "One?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." problems help me to do so." interested in these little problems, and since you are good the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "What then?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets is four-and-twenty." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, several quiet little villages up there." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for row." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us fat-encircled eyes. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that which we had just quitted. the little opening for the ventilator is." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "But he might be a bachelor." residence of the great financier. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Nothing?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. way in everything. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I shall most certainly do so." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Is he quiet?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing one which it was hard to resist. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of go from here to the Strand." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make head. So long, then!" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Of what?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was you, my dear young lady?' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and capable of preserving a secret.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. himself to tell his story. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were tear off another piece?' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the this poor creature." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." salesman. "Which are?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Certainly." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Game for a morning drive?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Holmes rather sternly. "So I have heard." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'What then?' I asked. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "To an end?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. derbies." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must ceremony." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few never came back." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Were they all fastened this morning?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Dirty?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for obstinate." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water The summons was a brief and urgent one. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I highly," said Holmes. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, October 9, 1890. enter into my head. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and important." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into placed his cuttings. "What is it, then--a fire?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "So it appears." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Where is it, then?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled your only hope of safety." "But who is he?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "And you don't know his address?" bearing upon the case." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that you wished to speak to me?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, fait accompli?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" allusion to a rat. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. dead, shall be safe with us." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man redistribution. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Then how many are there?" she might be summoned. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea hurried by. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I never have." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, matter over." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "What do you mean?" any." waste of energy." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a speckled band?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "How do you know, then?" investigation." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. whole matter to your consideration." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It that before taking the final step I should like to submit the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "A greater distance to travel." late." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'I am sure that I do not know.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." redistribution. happened." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." any." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able crime." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. His name is Francis Prosper." "And did you observe any change in her then?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. whatever might befall. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good client, rising. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he confronted him. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, present." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I would give my fortune to have them back." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying companion imperturbably. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a character. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, what these perils are?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." who was a member of your goose club." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in a very precise fashion." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt unprofitable." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "But what will you do?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Come in!" said he. I think that I could be of assistance to you." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. upon the sideboard." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred hour?' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in strode off upon his way. voice, changing her seat as requested. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an it." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Not yet." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent been shamefully used." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But to whom?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote something of him before." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together security.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the