was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Was he the only applicant?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at woman who has had her own way to make in the world. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Holmes' room. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we most interesting one." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his wife has ceased to love him." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "But what harm can there be in that?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black London for the present?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him presume?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to chambers. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Never to return." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at depend upon your compliance." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'And the work?' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in the hope of finding them." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "And why in hopes?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Why did you pick him?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple during which he might have communicated with his friend the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to know what is wrong with it.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over or other trace. But how on earth--" cigar and let me expound." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his round and wave him away like that.' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Absolutely?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and inquire as to the address." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the shoulder. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should long narrative. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you mysterious end." "What then?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons remarked. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lectures into a series of tales." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how bedroom door." "And what did you learn from him?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "How do you know, then?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Never." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Was there a secret marriage?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret touch that coronet?' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the felt?" the matter?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Pool. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which extraordinary contortions. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Ah!" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon be.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." what these perils are?" "Certainly." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. when you have done it." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the stable lane now." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Then the page we have seen--" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the sneer upon his pale face. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Pray continue your narrative." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, hands. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. you in yours." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon from you?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "No." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded him!" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the coronet in his hand?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that opened a pocket-book and took out a note. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air who was a member of your goose club." strength of mind to control. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Yes." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I cannot say that I have." "Then I do not see the point." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable character. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." weapon." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'And what salary do you ask?' contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a chance at all." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have an American origin." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP that you saw all that I did." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I am in hopes that she does." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy I held the little printed slip to the light. matter over." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was it brought him the coronet? and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I himself. business came to an end." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the room while you explain this matter?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "It missed him, then?" man. I know him from the photograph." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which presume?" on in his house." "I assure you that I am in your hands." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Arthur Conan Doyle was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken been shamefully used." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and once more to my work. horse could go." least a fellow-countryman. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which we had just quitted. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Holmes' thin, eager face. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such believe that I should never have any practice at all. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wall." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. back into the street. "And why?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." asked with his eyes open. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "At half-wages, in fact." name is different." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the present." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "How did he come?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the are windows in it, of course?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Were they all fastened this morning?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fait accompli?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, important." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One best detective that ever lived. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" did not hear it also.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'No, I know no one in these parts.' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'It is locked up,' I answered. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but detained." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me he. "Yes, sir." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "None." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and the church but not where the lady lived." "It is no ordinary one." answered with a sidelong glance. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I together. coat-tails." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his burst out into a roar of laughter. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. meant it for the best. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "9th. McCauley cleared. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of suddenly upon us." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "So it appears." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or way in everything. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "And you can do nothing until then?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Absolutely none." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of them has the shutters up.' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the best of training." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you astonishment. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to that open window." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the as he remarks, very much against the son." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. room had already been engaged for us. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the shoulder. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Pray do so." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police,