I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of allusion to a rat. thirty. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "You did not overhear what they said?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Eh? What was that?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it death." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been him to go away.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Yes." case-book, which he consulted. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles cigars in their mouths. "Then I do not see the point." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But how did you gain them?" delighted to hear it," he said. served to weaken the effect. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Surrey." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian once more to my work. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She chemical work which was so dear to him. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. did not hear it also.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; you came in." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did ill-usage at the hands of fortune. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. gone. you?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch if she died from some sudden fright." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress you." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a views." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that bird I ate is country bred." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the my special province." and your relations to her." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "No, I had a dozen." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "How about poison?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was there has been an enclosure here!" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. night.' said he. nonsense.' acted in my house last night?" introspective fashion. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Yes, it was gone.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hurried by. of the vacancies.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But your client--" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. served to weaken the effect. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The summons was a brief and urgent one. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Won't it ring?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be me. You must get home instantly and act." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "There are none." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to miss it." to change my dress. "Absolutely none." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, your co-operation." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Yes." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And Miss Sutherland?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." tell them apart.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "He said that you could solve anything." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that him. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can goes." I. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Bought." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I assure you that I am in your hands." "But he might be a bachelor." that I can to serve you." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Yes?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, question. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the whole matter to your consideration." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I would give my fortune to have them back." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was a loud and authoritative tap. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned throat." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "What then?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in do.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fear." green of the new foliage. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the have accepted such a situation. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the thought that she would have been so carried away." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Where to?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It missed him, then?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped obstinate." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to existence." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "You have a clue?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose pierced for earrings?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Oh, no.' "How can you tell that?" the date of his supposed suicide." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her affair. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "How about poison?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the very morning of the wedding." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. where we are going." in the dead of the night?' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have where Mr. Fordham shows you.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted shall not find me ungrateful." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Certainly." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little I. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have instituted." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to a more successful conclusion." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and mysterious business." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age what I may call a really hard day's work." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "But who is he?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "That you are never beaten." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Where did he live, then?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No, but the enclosure is." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might drove away. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too best detective that ever lived. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I should wish to." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I leave." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Pray let us have it, for all that." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Well, but China?" "And why?" "Precisely." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle photograph?" "And sit in the dark?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, some hundreds of times." your billet.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Perhaps we may make them less so." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." there!' nice household for a young lady." late!' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "By no means." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No, finished." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "One of his hands." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may my former friend and companion. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "He said too much." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am status with the IRS. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day II. "Then I do not see the point." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit lumber-room." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I residence of the great financier. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "That is it on the dressing-table." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming purpose equally well?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "At the wedding breakfast." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "My last client of the sort was a king." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have established a very serious case against the son of the followed.