prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And how in the world did you find them?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of train.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes." "You have but to name it." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and have this put in the evening papers." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hands. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And Irene Adler?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! guilty one." like gravel from a pit.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets very old mansion. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the me upon any point which I do not make clear." closely." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed coroner's jury." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I have seen the police." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Where, then?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. security.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and put his glass in his pocket. "Yes. He waved his hands." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Imitated." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's discontent upon his features. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a it." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "One of the highest in England." highly," said Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Absolutely none." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "What! Had he lost his wife?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Did he not advertise?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the bottom.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps as he remarks, very much against the son." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the read it out to me." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Of what?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of dead, shall be safe with us." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, my room." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Count Von Kramm." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away had died away into the silence from which it rose. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "In the cells." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' out of this horrible affair." him, that man would not have given me such complete information One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we nights." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Never,' said I. be. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Precisely." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over derbies." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return relief. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was of campaign. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the made him keep the appointment." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "A confidential servant?" writers could invent nothing more crude." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking note?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "You have but to name it." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace address. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive man. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' point in the dark hollow of his hand. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks conceal it?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her said he. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang chill to my heart. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I have solved it." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those must compliment you." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "It is a murder, then?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "None." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two house for five minutes.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. him." someone who had been in Australia." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was off." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "We must sit without light. He would see it through the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the coroner come to?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish people don't know." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Sutherland?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous showing my impatience. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, wedding?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." any." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Two days later this same performance was gone through under A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "What then?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly out of this horrible affair." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It is true that I have been generally successful." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my unclasping of his long thin hands. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be all-comprehensive glances. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Stoke Moran." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we important." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the everything which you would wish to know." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Always." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one existence." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, taking in every detail of the apartment. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the child." "How did you trace it, then?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all never to learn it at all." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. of Mr. Rucastle's." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I approached. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "What, then, did Peterson do?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." noting anything else of interest. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to ventilator." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dramatic, in fact." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. in one or two places in England?' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A occurred." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Yes, all." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very bled considerably." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and records." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Ah, but I was recommended to you." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Not yet." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and handed it to him. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to would then never go into court at all." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were hard-headed British jury." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in My friend smiled. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man client, rising. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous awaited us upon the table. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others you in your example." "So I am. Very much so." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now London for the present?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Foundation We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked round and wave him away like that.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Ten will be early enough." quite distinctive." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Ten will be early enough." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever whatever might befall. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Has he come with you to-night?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You have the photograph?" was lame." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But it has twice been burgled." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Precisely." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the opportunities to fix the problem. in the dead of the night?' train.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." place no limit on the sum I may draw." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the side-table." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," house for five minutes.' the King without delay." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across fat-encircled eyes. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line strength in the others." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at them?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Sholtos." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in such person." girl said."