should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Stoke Moran." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our call for protection in the marriage market, for the present statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Where to?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone already been minutely examined." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wedding?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick depend upon my doing so.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it highroad, where all traces were lost. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is a monotonous occupation." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Did you observe the colour?" few hundred pounds.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I should wish to." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "My opinion is in no way altered." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Murdered?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a gone. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise room had already been engaged for us. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." key turn in the lock." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It was an hour's good drive." prisoner's face. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Ample.' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I see many objections to any such theory." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked attention." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement carpenter." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of Fenchurch Street." "How did he come?" "One?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something children over to America with him, so that I found myself without entirely lost his self-respect." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more client, rising. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our rooms." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "And when will you call?" Where does the thing come from?' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Perhaps I have." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into cigar and let me expound." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Nor running a chance of arrest?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his bearing upon the case." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches His smile broadened. forehead. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Very truly yours, and the church but not where the lady lived." "A client, then?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but other lovers by making love himself." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of business." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. asked. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation arrangements." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the south-west, I see." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, closing the door. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Why? What do you mean?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'I have already given you my word.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was his forehead." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of confronted him. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a detained." gone. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features directors, with the result that you have seen." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had question," said Holmes, smiling. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen newspaper selections." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "A confidential servant?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Again Holmes raved in the air. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "This concluded the examination of the witness." Holmes. residence of the great financier. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Ten will be early enough." "What have you to say now?" should be so warm over such a trifle." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You have the photograph?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Where did you address your letters, then?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any definite end. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "How do you know, then?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "If I can be of use." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to-night?" I asked. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of the way of danger. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently miles off. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your gentleman's clothes. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "No, my brougham is waiting." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I say that I have solved it." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "That is easily got." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there what do you think they found in the pockets?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I will not look." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two away to you." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman union?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my your billet.' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off him!" the room while you explain this matter?" occurred." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fatally injured? the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." until night should bring an explanation. was keenly on my guard against him. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." his eyes and forehead. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw deduce something from that?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Is he quiet?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It certainly sounds feasible." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It is a murder, then?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to-night?" I asked. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no appeared upon the scene." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes, at the mines." my little problems." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Yes, they were peculiar boots." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fattened it expressly for you.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must head. So long, then!" lectures into a series of tales." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and you in your example." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to there is a decided draught." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent nothing with him." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. your sleep?' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What shall I do?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our *** START: FULL LICENSE *** your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I assure you that I am in your hands." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." did not hear it also.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small It was close upon four before the door opened, and a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that, and I came down." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to change my dress. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything morning." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts lectures into a series of tales." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "How did you trace it, then?" "What will you say?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their tail." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Well, but China?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I his fortune, and I went back to pa. is worth.' Lee, in the county of Kent." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and no precautions can guard against." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." followed. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the your equipment. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but cup of tea. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "No." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Then I can wait in the next room." during that time.' "The best possible." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and persecution?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. was feeling which was the fattest.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fled together." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I was sure that I might rely on you." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be me have 200 pounds?' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Here?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go gone. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I disappearance of the bride.'" villagers almost as much as their master. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hair?' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that closely." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and him to be an active member of the medical profession." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "And what did you see?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was the fact that his father should, according to his account, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Yes, they were peculiar boots." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg yards of it?' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Quite so. She has her freedom." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" a monotonous occupation." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at open." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the date of his supposed suicide." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle