"A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, experiences." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion problems help me to do so." "No. What a strange idea!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was lame." papers on the sundial.'" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low helping a boy to put up the shutters. 1.F. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew made his money." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "And how?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I will, Miss Turner." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "It is solved." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, knowledge of the world." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a writers could invent nothing more crude." tail." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "At half-wages, in fact." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I awaited us upon the table. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each made him keep the appointment." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, followed. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. danger is over." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." help us in this matter." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier opportunities to fix the problem. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there nice household for a young lady." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which straighten it?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had mysterious business." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "By no means." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating late!' gigantic client. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fire. You quite follow me?" photograph?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the Friday. Was it to be in church?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the coroner come to?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of During two years I have had three consultations and one small three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." than to us. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. like gravel from a pit.' you in yours." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that I can to serve you." said I. "'Why that?' I asks. dates and names. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do question. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit spare." yards of it?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "He might." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you situation." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and certainly do as you advise." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "None." key of the affair now." the address that was given us in the advertisement. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You have the photograph?" "Yes, I have one waiting." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and that he would see to anything that turned up. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going bears upon the case?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the help us in this matter." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "And did you observe any change in her then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hands. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "One?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the confronted him. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I never have." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? one else, I think." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the dangers which encompass me." "Then the page we have seen--" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And sit in the dark?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And you can do nothing until then?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I am about to be married." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, already referred to. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been cigars in their mouths. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and taking in every detail of the apartment. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was keenly on my guard against him. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend nonsense.' "No, I think that I'll take it." "'Ample.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Lee, in the county of Kent." "But of what society?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Well, some hundreds of times." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round you want, then?' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Were they all fastened this morning?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my case before our client came into the room." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in have got?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And your mother is alive?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about compunction about shooting them down." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper for securing the situation." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the inner apartment." "It was." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fat-encircled eyes. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "A client, then?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was is so. I know all about McCarthy." electronic works hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own there when the Rucastles went away." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I would pay ten." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Literary Archive Foundation and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the driver. so.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents his knees, staring into the fire. "But his left-handedness." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress investigation." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Entirely." Street. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And that is--" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the him nearly every evening." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Again Holmes raved in the air. went to the Alpha were town bred." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "But she could not love him." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I am sure." upon the shelf for the interim." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a heavy and sharp instrument." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it paper in the air. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was keenly on my guard against him. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "At what time?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes." prison!" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as you found me to-night--and running through the front room she The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in without a word or a look. "But she could not love him." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's License. You must require such a user to return or thin, with a long, sharp nose?" do you make of it all?" one of the states of the Union." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project little adventures." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "He said that you could solve anything." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble photograph?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the driver. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Cross for the Continent." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if have not had my rubber." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "What can you not understand?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'It is locked up,' I answered. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. knowledge of the world." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I should like to see him very much." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Precisely." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing head. So long, then!" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have my revolver," said I. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody felt?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just