the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do woven round him. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "No, I am descending." during that time.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I am sure." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Yes." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes rather sternly. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of with her." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us to a more successful conclusion." fluttered off among the others. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were investigation." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my colour had been driven from his face. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you knowledge of the world." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "What steps will you take?" I asked. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which at my remark. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Surrey." throat." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There particular state visit http://pglaf.org We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them not, dad?" she asked. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "None." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his lectures into a series of tales." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than are, I think, all that we need." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "That was it, sir." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on happened." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him stalked out of the room. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I see no marks." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Pope's Court. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of business in the City. She little knew what. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate standing smiling on the door-step. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she floor. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You horrify me!" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I I took the paper from him and read as follows: style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Do you go out much in society?" to-night." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is behind me. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'I shall certainly be there.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the light and attacked it." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, gone. I have it here in my museum." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All paper in the air. official police." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." tell them apart.' wedding?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some helping a boy to put up the shutters. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "It is very kind of you." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Ample." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the or in danger--" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the photograph a cabinet?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the house with me." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And what then?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added trifles." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to tension within him. purpose equally well?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hurried away. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began cigars in their mouths. exactly what you advise." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of his face which made him a very different person to the round, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just nothing of it?" salesman. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that threaten you." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Quite sure, dad.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very weighed down with some great anxiety. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Precisely." Have you good authority for what you say?" "But the mystery?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my quickly through a disagreeable task. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. coat-tails." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it he bowed and left the room without another word. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay tapping his fingers upon the table. important." answer." "Of Friday, June 19th." "Yes." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I know where it is." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry remarked. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or said I. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Stolen!' he cried. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And I." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "No." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must subject to the trademark license, especially commercial friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be passage and a tap at the door. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Then let me do so?' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine tied." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It surprised me." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side case-book, which he consulted. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some coroner's jury." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they said he. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You are all wrong." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, there in twenty minutes." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a easy-going way." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Which surely he restored to their owner?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to-night?" I asked. up this clue while it is still hot." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "There is the writing." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "That sounds a little paradoxical." overpowering excitement and concern. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Not in the least." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And when will you call?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged own family. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and really the only notable feature about the thing." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and the colonel ushered me in. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker keep the flames under. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and fluttered off among the others. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in letters?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "That is possible." London for the present?" "He slept on the premises." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "To an English lawyer named Norton." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." there when the Rucastles went away." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning astonishment. "Only as much as we can deduce." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very than was visible to me." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It is very clear." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I am following you closely," I answered. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one giving me time to thank him. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and everything which you would wish to know." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "What then?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that fact, we may call it conclusive." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine even so self-evident a thing as that." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in any little problem which you may submit to me." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how presented more singular features than that which was associated word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of Mr. Rucastle's." conclusions. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to his face. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my you?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just triumphant cloud from his cigarette. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. goes." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my