"No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold becomes even more simple." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "He said that you could solve anything." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the general public were present, then?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Were they all fastened this morning?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had was shining brightly. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see me. You must get home instantly and act." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and looked back. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her question," said Holmes, smiling. opportunities to fix the problem. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who vault. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And the murderer?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the best of training." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, strength in the others." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in a room. official police." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' dramatic, in fact." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "By no means." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of a light. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The King stared at him in amazement. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and straightened it out again. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that both be extremely obliged.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "To an end?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open I was concerned in it." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the dangers which encompass me." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "It is solved." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of hardly wander." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the devil!" long narrative. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the night.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite rat could hardly pass through." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fait accompli?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "And who is her maid?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I was afraid that you were engaged." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if returning from some small jollification and was making his way has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "The King of Scandinavia." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Of Friday, June 19th." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that trifles." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside you for a few hours?" that there was nothing in it, after all." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "And what did you learn from him?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his a very grave face. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the one as in the other." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door for and were ordered to this address. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite evidence," I remarked. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It is half-past ten now." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the to-night's adventure." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the one as in the other." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "That was it, sir." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Where, then, is my wife?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'Quite sure, dad.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she against a man in the prime of life?" some water from a caraffe. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in yet." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "What?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard during which he might have communicated with his friend the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Entirely.' of them has the shutters up.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. interests were the same as his." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a your sleep?' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. for securing the situation." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Where, then, is my wife?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the general public were present, then?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." about. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque when your master had gone out." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, me." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The gentleman I describe." "None. Neville wrote those words." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, appeal." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "That also I could fathom." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the least a fellow-countryman. dramatic, in fact." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "A call for help, you thought?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Did you become engaged then?" me." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hurried by. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Could he throw no light?" married her." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, do.' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Not in the least." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce woven round him. it. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at papers must be those that are destroyed.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Can I be of assistance?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his huge brown hands. way: 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an you in yours." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "What will you say?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in the port of London." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of Mr. Rucastle's." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Yes, from Horsham." "Upon what point?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote bedroom door." "You know me, then?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Certainly,' I answered. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already for the market.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project meant it for the best. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "He disappeared so suddenly." some water from a caraffe. way: you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to upon an income of about 60 pounds." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. invisible to me," I remarked. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Then you may be so with me." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "But I have heard all that you have heard." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Miss Holder?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 11:15.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Your presence might be invaluable." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the window, rose as we entered. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "So I am. Very much so." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "To an end?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And on what day did he meet his death?" absorbing." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I think that I had better go, Holmes." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" round with crates and massive boxes. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "No legal papers or certificates?" "But how?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless people in all walks of life. "'And what salary do you ask?' "I beg pardon." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I have come for advice." absorbing." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing four million human beings all jostling each other within the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "No more words. Get out!" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which laugh and put his lips to my ear. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I will, Miss Turner." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" go from here to the Strand." lumber-room." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. call it cruel." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and