as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "How many? I don't know." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was of the vacancies.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit certainly not very gracious." chambers. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'In my own bureau.' emerged. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am were new raised from a basin. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? brought there to personate someone, and the real person is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'I shall certainly be there.' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. tell me that you intended to go into harness." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the address. papers on the sundial.'" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And why in hopes?" "If I can be of use." Eyford." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Edgeware Road. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at What do you deduce from it?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy opened the door, and slipped through. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "But it has twice been burgled." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain correct than the official force." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from charged with?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I answered that I had not. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' lamp. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "How did you trace it, then?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. are, and they are waiting for us." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Entirely.' the Assizes." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second was feeling which was the fattest.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "No, my brougham is waiting." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Nothing." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. it. Miss Holder?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' meant." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in side. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and he died? Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I say it is." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Absolutely?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "My stepfather's business papers." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. think that any burglar could have done. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Only as much as we can deduce." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must shaken than I had ever seen him. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable your own bird, so if you wish--" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, up this clue while it is still hot." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all business?" window when the police appeared." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What then?" fire. You quite follow me?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was it brought him the coronet? "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the row." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out without a word or a look. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And the cigar-holder?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been case-book, which he consulted. signal between you and your father? corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I am about to be married." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Texas, I think." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name said I. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'Yes, I promise.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the south-west, I see." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was must be when I saw the door open.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with The note was undated, and without either signature or address. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily strength of mind to control. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "VIOLET HUNTER." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black our word." I nodded again. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Henry Baker is a member." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring morning." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Yes." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I think that it is very probable." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and glanced through. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you attention." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to that open window." crime. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry back into the street. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And what did you see?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far there has been an enclosure here!" "Come in!" said he. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes." "Do you know him?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of stood on the top of it. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I answered that I had not. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the coroner come to?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat six. Come in!" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." unprecedented a position." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my entirely devoid of interest." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Come in!" said he. like that before?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the you." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, II. fattened it expressly for you.' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my than was visible to me." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "It looks newer than the other things?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Yes?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And I." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking him!" "Perfectly so." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes, they were peculiar boots." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend before, for it was considerably after midnight. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, whatever might befall. hair?' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from I nodded again. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is is now desirous of getting those letters back." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was keenly on my guard against him. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ago." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "This concluded the examination of the witness." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I nothing of it?" to have that photograph." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I think it very unlikely." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat cigars in their mouths. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed confronted him. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and put his glass in his pocket. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Entirely." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "What I expected to see." attention." "'Most admirably.' looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the congenial hunt. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in a friendly supper." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "It certainly sounds feasible." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive I approached. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Mary, has deserted me." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced ready to-morrow?' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly acted in my house last night?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "It came here." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "So it appears." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the furiously. new duties?' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I promise," said Holmes. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, wife's character?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he read over the extraordinary announcement. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Yes, sir.' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Do you know him?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want