last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Where could I find him?' generous with you in money matters.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT several quiet little villages up there." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I think it very unlikely." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Ten to two.' "I am armed." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in over with notes and figures. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend was keenly on my guard against him. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day keep the flames under. "You forget that I know nothing about it." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "And the cigar-holder?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "By all means." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in chair. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "She showed me, as I told you she would." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "What can you not understand?" will take you up to see the machine.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view society." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a I held the little printed slip to the light. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the room while you explain this matter?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me foresight and the moral retrogression?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is always that they were such commands as a lady might with towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and them present such singular features as the strange train of matters immensely." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the ceiling. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to disappearance of these gems?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of lips." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction drove away. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "He is dead," cried several voices. horse could go." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Do you receive much company?" he asked. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my him to be an active member of the medical profession." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord three fields round his house, and there he would take his colour had been driven from his face. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." easy-going way." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of Fenchurch Street." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable will find little credit to be gained out of this case." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was feeling which was the fattest.' "Oh, yes, easily." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for morning." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he least a fellow-countryman. as noiselessly as she had come. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, kind enough to tell me what I should do." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I have come for advice." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Yes." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers think that he is innocent?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'What then?' I asked. society." Holmes rather sternly. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and the whole place is in a blaze." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and dramatic, in fact." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the warnings." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Again Holmes raved in the air. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "My opinion is in no way altered." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And how?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "What!" he roared. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people wanted for ourselves." directly by questioning you." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with sooner or later she must fall a victim. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Nothing." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to bell. Holmes whistled. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Was she in good spirits?" "BALLARAT." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in I nodded again. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for evidence," I remarked. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked man. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the so-precious time, but come!' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" quick march!" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "My private note-paper." good-night and bustled off upon her way. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And the murderer?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I have seen the police." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Street. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "In heaven's name, what for?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and copied or distributed: dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows than was visible to me." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Not social, then?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than villagers almost as much as their master. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is possible." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you humiliation." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case never came back." "But I am all in the dark." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the straightened it out again. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I man. I know him from the photograph." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself take the flies, but not before." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had spare." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, one's self under obligations.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" been shamefully used." the station." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Dr. Gregory B. Newby Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." my former friend and companion. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "My dear Holmes!" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yes, at the mines." up this clue while it is still hot." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "You saw the ventilator, too?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." know all about it," he snarled. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." fire. You quite follow me?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. I took the paper from him and read as follows: common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and not fit the lock." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every forebodings. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the unclasping of his long thin hands. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "What! a murderous attack?" you understand?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into all?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I nodded again. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot his eyes and forehead. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works throat." "Certainly." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor matter." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that him." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Mary, has deserted me." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon depend upon my doing so.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, redistribution. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now My friend smiled. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there this Miss Turner." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a from you?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Lee, in the county of Kent." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital