have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "The vanishing of the lady." read it out to me." from the brougham. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such tension within him. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and other lovers by making love himself." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to narrative." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "My dear Holmes!" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from me where it went to?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling there when the Rucastles went away." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent if I call to-morrow?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ready to-morrow?' other, as fresh and trim as possible. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I see many objections to any such theory." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. meant." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' on in his house." not within a twentieth part of the market price." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I should be immensely obliged to you." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to awaited us upon the table. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, when your master had gone out." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Absolutely none." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. it were putty." of them has the shutters up.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Stoke Moran." affair. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is for its centre. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing skylight. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not fishes. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It missed him, then?" any little problem which you may submit to me." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged infinite languor in his face. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah ill-usage at the hands of fortune. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you give your casting vote to?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Countess of Morcar's?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and just called myself is not exactly my own." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. sooner or later she must fall a victim. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and tapping his fingers upon the table. chair. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "What are they?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed never to learn it at all." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "One?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that you saw all that I did." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated chambers. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to mystery!" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of 'please.'" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled other, as fresh and trim as possible. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. with you alone." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after there in twenty minutes." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "That was it, sir." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "What of the rat, then?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes now. It seems that there had been some informality about their My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you as this. Pray let me have the details." are, I think, all that we need." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the window, rose as we entered. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point you." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account jewels which you have stolen?' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door himself. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It noble correspondent could be. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yes." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Did he not advertise?" a very grave face. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Sutherland?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes likely to be some crony of the landlady's." ceremony." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Yes." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "She showed me, as I told you she would." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." discontent upon his features. suspect him." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "You know me, then?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have man. I know him from the photograph." wedding?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your laugh and put his lips to my ear. cigars in their mouths. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, on in his house." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house a very grave face. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the man. there has been an enclosure here!" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." own family. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of direction." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Stoke Moran." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be You can understand that this register and diary may implicate that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull with the outside air!" "Very murderous indeed." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "And why?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "So I heard. You have him here?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three you in yours." "What! a murderous attack?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "No, my brougham is waiting." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and strode off upon his way. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes." call you and give you the chance." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Why that?' I asks. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. weary and pale-looking. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which noble correspondent could be. and effective." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the coronet in his hands?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It is his hat." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few few hundred pounds.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too dear old homesteads?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's will he say when he returns?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his standing smiling on the door-step. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have carte blanche." But Holmes shook his head gravely. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to it with his own hands." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Sutherland?" your co-operation." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the nursery. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of ventilator." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the bottom.' "Yes." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at undoubtedly my uncle's." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An passage and a tap at the door. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: served to weaken the effect. infinite languor in his face. habit of advancing money.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by