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and have this put in the evening papers." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and have this put in the evening papers." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes?" "Eh? What was that?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I have my revolver," said I. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a examine." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass hurried by. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Come in!" said Holmes. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it official police." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "An accident, I presume?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the gone. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "No." "It missed him, then?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'Why that?' I asks. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the iron safe, which he closed upon it. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain strength in the others." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It certainly sounds feasible." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip drove away. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "How on earth--" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." dear old homesteads?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Holmes rather sternly. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "And Miss Sutherland?" it." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Cross for the Continent." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she open." closing the door. Arthur Conan Doyle as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in the port of London." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. just called myself is not exactly my own." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Will you bet, then?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project laugh and put his lips to my ear. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "None." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. our word." "I do." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "But his left-handedness." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever You want to know what became of those geese?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "To an end?" "One of the highest in England." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It you, my dear young lady?' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish to affect your life." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in darkness. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes, he did." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from at once, for I have only half an hour." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no way: assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I should like to see him very much." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The gentleman I describe." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I have my revolver," said I. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "How on earth--" congratulate you again." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the deduce something from that?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Very much so." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fattened it expressly for you.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a very morning of my second wedding." to his chemical studies. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the might have a private word with us. "Yes, it would be as well." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I cannot tell." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the very morning of the wedding." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that?' noble correspondent could be. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial to affect your life." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. excitement. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a criminal. We have already had experience of such." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered at my own good fortune. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our his grey eyes. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless friend's singular character. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "I was afraid that you were engaged." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was our word." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by their singular warning or token before them when starting upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in there is a decided draught." gentleman's clothes. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "She told me to ask you." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove weighed down with some great anxiety. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "It is to him that this trophy belongs." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, tell me that you intended to go into harness." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I answered that I had not. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the so-precious time, but come!' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a it were putty." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Yes." would apply.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then, how do you know?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one conceal it?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the his face. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, you." "Never." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you more solid." "Was your sister dressed?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You horrify me!" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that just called myself is not exactly my own." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. villagers almost as much as their master. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Certainly." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "What is it?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the general public were present, then?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a monotonous occupation." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'And what salary do you ask?' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down daring than any effort of the imagination." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "You have compromised yourself seriously." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, returning from some small jollification and was making his way and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' envelope. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to eavesdroppers?' "Eh? What was that?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Stolen, then." companion imperturbably. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have had none more fantastic than this." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Quite so." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "How did he come?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I saw her in conversation with her maid." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to a more successful conclusion." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a you for a few hours?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Who by?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "The King of Scandinavia." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes. He waved his hands." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself cigar and let me expound." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that, and I came down." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the invisible to me," I remarked. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." bachelor.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free strength." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to tell." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and that there was nothing in it, after all." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a figure." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this face and glided from the room. was a perfect sample of the class. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "This concluded the examination of the witness." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The are, and they are waiting for us." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There are none." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too colour had been driven from his face. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And now?" I asked. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Married! When?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "A client, then?" "And what then?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. success. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole there were one or two details which were new to me. But the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Lee, in the county of Kent." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small developed." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" His smile broadened. said he. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing a monotonous occupation." "My stepfather's business papers." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely awaited us upon the table. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always bell. Holmes whistled. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading