she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "That is unusual in a young girl." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our himself to hunt down. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Was there a secret marriage?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. questionable one." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "What office?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then approach us with offers to donate. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "But your client--" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'Ample.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a think that any burglar could have done. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his yards of it?' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled father's place of business?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the unprecedented a position." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of them has the shutters up.' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, visitors." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." had this final quarrel? "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the dangers which encompass me." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows until night should bring an explanation. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "My opinion is in no way altered." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect despair." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I have it here in my museum." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until name is different." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Nearly eleven." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, were unconscious?" bachelor.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of very morning of my second wedding." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or at my own good fortune. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and laid it on the table. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last that, and I came down." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he out." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And the cigar-holder?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I fattened it expressly for you.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that returned to France?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of them has the shutters up.' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the official police." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which horse could go." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "In answer to an advertisement." "'What, the red-headed man?' generous with you in money matters.' once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. at once, for I have only half an hour." "No, but the enclosure is." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. shoulder. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. garden below. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the house with me." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on at my remark. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and inquire as to the address." attention." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "What!" he roared. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." photograph?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "No, I had a dozen." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hurried away. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "And leave your case unfinished?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Of what day?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with writer." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to surprise her." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Not I." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Ten to two.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "My dear Holmes!" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "A confidential servant?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'How far from the body?' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Eyford." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an hour?' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that get the tickets." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What then?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Which surely he restored to their owner?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the window, rose as we entered. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with one which it was hard to resist. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no down in his armchair and closing his eyes. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "And why?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened fish-monger and a tide-waiter." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only hands. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece head. So long, then!" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "A client, then?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No." shoulder; "he's all right." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Is he quiet?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Chief Executive and Director too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of the vacancies.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I appeal." green of the new foliage. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "None." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a for securing the situation." "How can you tell that?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "My last client of the sort was a king." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of it were putty." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the tragedy. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I promise," said Holmes. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up spare." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and horse could go." "At what time?" foot. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let points to suicide?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "On your arm?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, back alive. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and the church but not where the lady lived." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but points in connection with it which never have been, and probably a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'Stolen!' he cried. particular state visit http://pglaf.org corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man use an arc-and-compass breastpin." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no not interfere, come what may. You understand?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Do you know him?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." crime." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to nothing of it?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "You think that he is dead?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this unhappy family?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again gives a meaning to it." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the you in your example." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. on in his house." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a good hundred miles off by now." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with weigh very heavily upon my conscience." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what The King stared at him in amazement. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he emerged. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as should be so warm over such a trifle." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "By no means." to tell." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which our visitor detailed to us. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "How did he come?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "My private note-paper." arrested. You then--" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her that I may have something better before very many minutes are which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was not a bird to be seen there. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, wedding?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, see me here to avoid scandal." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending astonishment. "Yes, but only for you and me." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." locked." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been