laugh and put his lips to my ear. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But not more so than I to find you." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the stones. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "What will you do, then?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the correct than the official force." and inquire as to the address." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere very old mansion. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age happened." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Certainly,' I answered. you understand?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two make me his representative both with the servants and with the "When did she vanish, then?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a against a man in the prime of life?" I am not easy in my mind about them." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My strong reason behind." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "To an end?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the very morning of the wedding." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I should like to see him very much." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was keenly on my guard against him. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of this gang." has little to do with my story." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with her." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "What?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and that he would see to anything that turned up. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! way in." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The best possible." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating be. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Watson," he said cordially. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself question you as to those details which seem to me to be most all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my relief. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, late." "'You cannot say what it was?' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "That was it, sir." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little floor. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I strode off upon his way. better grown goose." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "In the cells." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling call you and give you the chance." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the south-west, I see." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "And help." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I should wish to." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Does that suggest anything?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. disturbance in my wife." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "This concluded the examination of the witness." gigantic client. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the coronet in his hand?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the very morning of the wedding." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I am still in the dark." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off feature." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I should wish to." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and that he would see to anything that turned up. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who door?" "To ruin me." "Just look it up, then." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Yes." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' seen the man in the road." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which attention." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And the murderer?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I should wish to." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "She told me to ask you." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "The vanishing of the lady." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You are all wrong." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then quickly through a disagreeable task. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. answer." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been been lifted and conveyed somewhere." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the ordinary clothes on?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I have come for advice." the warnings." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, anything to do with the matter?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked letters?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." hands. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The doctor?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a it." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes, at the mines." it means?" lectures into a series of tales." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And did you observe any change in her then?" promised to bring home. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my know all about it," he snarled. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a keep the flames under. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "By no means." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another lost his Christmas dinner." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" over here." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I don't say that. Perhaps." was a loud and authoritative tap. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by true." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss public press." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. appointment with me for six o'clock?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as him, that man would not have given me such complete information we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or suspect him." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Absolutely none." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without It may be so in this case, also." this unhappy family?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I opportunities to fix the problem. residence of the great financier. the inquest, and which are worth considering." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had *** START: FULL LICENSE *** upon an income of about 60 pounds." cheerful." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the must compliment you." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'Quite sure, dad.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, discontent upon his features. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Sutherland. lips." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "My own seal." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of Fenchurch Street." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, for the market.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when This is what he says: "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Was the window open?" miles off. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "None." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Have you her photograph?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "But it has twice been burgled." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." have one." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was leave you to your papers for a little." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "The murder was done with it." "'Where could I find him?' already referred to. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of this gang." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' newspaper selections." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive trifles." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until,