I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door from you?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" said he. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'And the work?' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched horse could go." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Then you may be so with me." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of o'clock is it?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into cigars in their mouths. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was unkempt, staring out at me. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email here." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that you saw all that I did." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "How about poison?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'No, I know no one in these parts.' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a events, Mr. Windibank!" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Yes, the wine-cellar." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "My dear Holmes!" Street. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was if I call to-morrow?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to his chemical studies. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still like that before?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not waste of energy." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "What is it?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "No good news?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much fear." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. this poor creature." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of yourselves in at night?" go from here to the Strand." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the furiously. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own companion. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But of what society?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Married! When?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on against a man in the prime of life?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding newspaper selections." into the bag, and made for the door. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Look there!" said he. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and not personally threatened." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "What are they?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "What! Had he lost his wife?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I said he at last. "Not in a good cause." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was already answered. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the written. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Foundation Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort take the flies, but not before." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the six. Come in!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Which are?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that he will be back before evening." of the vacancies.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Why did you beat the pavement?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The landlord of the Alpha." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "My stepfather's business papers." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for will find little credit to be gained out of this case." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband me upon any point which I do not make clear." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by together. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB mysterious business." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She knowledge of the world." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without what do you think they found in the pockets?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "BALLARAT." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step is worth.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "At what time?" Foundation attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the coroner come to?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Can I be of assistance?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You think that he is dead?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking your Highness to the police-station?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Pool. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the whether it answered to the description of any of their "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I unclasping of his long thin hands. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to Leatherhead. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you done what I asked you, Jones?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try McCarthy's innocence. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the house with me." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I guessed as much." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a coroner's jury." your sleep?' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you started for the Temple to see my husband. helping a boy to put up the shutters. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Very. But will he see it?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Here?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. with you alone." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Stolen." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was it brought him the coronet? "You saw the ventilator, too?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fattened it expressly for you.' burst out into a roar of laughter. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed certainly do as you advise." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Ha! you find it so?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "A call for help, you thought?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "What have you to say now?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It missed him, then?" "Ten will be early enough." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the child." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I I think that I could be of assistance to you." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "What!" he roared. purpose of examination. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Lestrade of Scotland Yard." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and effective." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." better grown goose." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and was used.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Married! When?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his wife has ceased to love him." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "What! You do not mean bodies?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a details." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger them present such singular features as the strange train of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a me. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from cheerful." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, remarked. rat could hardly pass through." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Eyford at 11:15.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying look dissatisfied." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I held the little printed slip to the light. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon bore every mark of being an average commonplace British return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I came to find a friend." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Doctor, of the paper and the date." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the roots. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily been able to understand it, in a very few words. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," threw himself down with his face to the pillow. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you humiliation." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the coronet at all injured?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear telegram would bring me down to your help." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up reach." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from strode off upon his way. of the vacancies.' horse could go." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'What then?' I asked. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are