will he say when he returns?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Ample.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez nothing with him." bird I ate is country bred." "In which, sir?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom nights." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it past. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a thought that she would have been so carried away." "In which, sir?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." This is what he says: chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! go back?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Nothing." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hair?' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And how have you succeeded?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to British peeress.'" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a London for the present?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He held up the lantern and gazed about him. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry he. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the very letters. But what is this written above them?' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in matter over." "And how in the world did you find them?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive matters immensely." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having money should be paid at once.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, opened the door, and slipped through. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "What office?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Have you good authority for what you say?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in him." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was assist you in forming an opinion." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you business?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "What do you mean?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a yards of it?' way in everything. this as likely?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried business at Coburg Square is serious." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the strength of mind to control. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. disturbance in my wife." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a newspaper selections." promised to bring home. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' paper in the air. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang beyond words. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Nothing." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours hurried away. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice within hail.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for a little more before I quite committed myself. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "But she will refuse." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." carriage. It was a chestnut." "What do you mean?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at or other trace. But how on earth--" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British friend's singular character. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Why, it's a dummy," said he. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining in one or two places in England?' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a opportunities to fix the problem. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." morning." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Arthur Conan Doyle dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" crowd. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Leadenhall Street--and--" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. acquaintance?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Seven!" I answered. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to occurred." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes, it would be as well." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You noble correspondent could be. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter would then never go into court at all." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "So I have heard." the King without delay." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one your co-operation." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a your bag." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. touch that coronet?' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Why did you pick him?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "He disappeared so suddenly." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No, but the enclosure is." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past electronic works over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the side-table." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole arrangements." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was been deceived." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It looks newer than the other things?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "But she could not love him." furiously. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, I held the little printed slip to the light. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he could not have written that. It is the German who is so fait accompli?" such person." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "One of his hands." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And how?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "This photograph!" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington existence." in. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to me. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal despaired of." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "None." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the Assizes." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I will not look." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You have but to name it." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I would pay ten." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Sutherland. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Have you it here?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Stolen, then." "Look there!" said he. voice. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Henry Baker is a member." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Not social, then?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by pierced for earrings?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "If I can be of use." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Very well, sir. And this stone?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' bachelor.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. more solid." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the salesman. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of campaign. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the not come at once?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Very much so." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Why, what do you mean?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very introspective fashion. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, her also." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." written. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in could gather together that I was able to avert another public covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss be.' secret." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "None. Neville wrote those words." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me