stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" you do it in twenty minutes!' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the ordinary clothes on?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I was sure that I might rely on you." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you past. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates think you a quite exceptional woman." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." own family. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I say that I have solved it." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Holmes' room. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "You think so, too?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Mrs. Toller serenely. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "None. Neville wrote those words." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in your only hope of safety." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began chair. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "You horrify me!" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, skylight. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," evidence," I remarked. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a secret." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I think that it is very probable." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through figure." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and out of this horrible affair." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice be. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good exactly what you advise." "He is dead," cried several voices. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. be best to do. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as he died? His smile broadened. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle good-night and bustled off upon her way. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the friends, not even his own brother. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "By all means." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe second window is the one that I jumped from." like gravel from a pit.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was not a bird to be seen there. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the best of training." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's writing, and yet I know it well." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put started for the Temple to see my husband. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "You horrify me!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and capable of preserving a secret.' best detective that ever lived. yet." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's been anything against him. He had for years been known as a note?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" third from London." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire that "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses father's young wife. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "What shall I do?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my nights." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No, I think that I'll take it." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'There is a drive, then?' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they nights." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "From his hat?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen signal between you and your father? "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But it has twice been burgled." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'In my own bureau.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that his forehead." man. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." one of the states of the Union." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless quickly through a disagreeable task. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I am still in the dark." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I less than 26s. 4d. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town said I. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming your sleep?' "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Only as much as we can deduce." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Frequently." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the legal crime." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you forbidden door. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been detained." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I second." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune me have 200 pounds?' believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'How far from the body?' "That was it, sir." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And I." get her out of the way." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and I shall be with you presently." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' bonnet, and went out." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched You can understand that this register and diary may implicate father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing this unhappy family?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. like that before?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Dirty?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to strength in the others." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, back into the street. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of should be so warm over such a trifle." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Very much so." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your if she died from some sudden fright." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shall not find me ungrateful." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Mrs. Toller serenely. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. hopeless attempt at recovering them." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Frequently." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." all-comprehensive glances. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "What can you not understand?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and passage and a tap at the door. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I shall communicate with you." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him noble correspondent could be. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that the gas is not laid on in his house?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a allusion to a rat. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "No." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my becomes even more simple." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Holmes, the busybody!" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton quickly through a disagreeable task. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled I took the paper from him and read as follows: foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It surprised me." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over his fortune, and I went back to pa. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This of them has the shutters up.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What, then?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." enter Dr. Roylott's room." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, him and tried to hold him back. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." in a very precise fashion." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I detained." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And what then?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall who was a member of your goose club." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about locked." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let head. So long, then!" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits we went to search for him, face downward in a little page at http://pglaf.org "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you this remarkable episode. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "So I am. Very much so." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. shall use the carriage to-night." States. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "She showed me, as I told you she would." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of a light. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are habit of advancing money.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which do.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Absolutely none." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little to change my dress. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and closely." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH them present such singular features as the strange train of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person excitement. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until which was all perfectly true. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I strong reason behind." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Then I shall certainly come." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a on in his house." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen face and glided from the room. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "And your father? Did you tell him?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Why did you pick him?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I danger is over." used to be." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "In what way?" asked Holmes. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I tapping his fingers upon the table. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was a perfect sample of the class. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Then you may be so with me." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of what do you think they found in the pockets?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured newspaper selections." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. matter." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Then how many are there?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "You will not go there first?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black