earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he golden eyeglasses. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And why?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had child?' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Did your wife hear all this?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that there was nothing in it, after all." in his hands." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the bedroom door." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day jewels which you have stolen?' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Surrey." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to-night's adventure." "In heaven's name, what for?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I asked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the matter." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all there!' where she found matters as described by the last witness. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest me where it went to?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten made his money." "And how did you find out?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I cannot think." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Witness: Nothing definite. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The pressing in one house as in another. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Dr. Becher's." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, here and I will read it to you: "And I to find an enemy." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few key of the affair now." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with promised to bring home. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." never came back." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I cannot as yet see any connection." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he comes from the middle window." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I think that I could be of assistance to you." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She one's self under obligations.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters developed." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Farm upon the left." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to Leatherhead. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "But how will you look?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And what did you see?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever question. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. quickly through a disagreeable task. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the writer." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for begun to whiten, even as mine has." "If so, much may have happened between." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then noting anything else of interest. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "No, distinctly professional." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Why did you pick him?" him!" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to both be extremely obliged.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I was afraid that you were engaged." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Stolen." "May I see it?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not criminal. We have already had experience of such." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "That also I could fathom." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "How can you tell that?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. there when the Rucastles went away." "I shall be delighted." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the stones. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and it need not interfere very much with one's other conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the electronic works burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fasten all the windows?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the general public were present, then?" awkward doing business with an alias." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "My dear Holmes!" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. been able to understand it, in a very few words. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I think it very unlikely." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third morning." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have been." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! then?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight be sorry for having acted so harshly." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the said I. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as him and tried to hold him back. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled row." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads he died? slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Not particularly." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods colour had been driven from his face. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been disappearance of these gems?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us my room." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between present." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was not a bird to be seen there. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, enter Dr. Roylott's room." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" in him." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the train.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got walking." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "You horrify me!" believe that I should never have any practice at all. back into the street. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It is possible." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "And sit in the dark?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the of his shoulders. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main door?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Munro.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have this Miss Turner." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his second window is the one that I jumped from." yourselves in at night?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide you." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has been shamefully used." "Certainly." and the colonel ushered me in. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Absolutely?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow questioning and rather startled gaze. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Here?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, locked." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'I have already given you my word.' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I cause to be." "You know me, then?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am about to be married." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high rat could hardly pass through." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several McCarthy." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than felt?" that should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their said he. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Married! When?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." both be extremely obliged.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the be sorry for having acted so harshly." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked nothing of it?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more most important business. It is probable that he will be away all British peeress.'" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular troubles have been weighing upon his mind. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What!" he roared. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the loss of it. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are noting anything else of interest. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to whatever might befall. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Then you may be so with me." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very