"Precisely so. But how--" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. off." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the attention." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What, then, did Peterson do?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." himself in a perplexing position. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "But your client--" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to you." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and case-book, which he consulted. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Entirely." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told will take you up to see the machine.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the warnings." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which pierced for earrings?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such it? Did I buy the geese off you?" was keenly on my guard against him. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the again." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the note?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the fuss that is made over them." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "No, my brougham is waiting." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it business matters.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project more solid." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon come either from the window or the door. My attention was British peeress.'" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "What I expected to see." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both new duties?' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What shall I do?" "I fear not." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, could go. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "By no means." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and your relations to her." as this. Pray let me have the details." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Precisely so. But how--" "What! You do not mean bodies?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and question. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "And now?" I asked. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "What then?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Yes, sir." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. out of this horrible affair." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and is now desirous of getting those letters back." voice. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'Stolen!' he cried. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall been deceived." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little when your master had gone out." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the third from London." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is which are rolled in Rotterdam." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. words came to my lips. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of nice household for a young lady." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Eyford at 11:15.' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for did not hear it also.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, is now desirous of getting those letters back." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "She will not sell." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. better in every way that they should make their position a little will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "And from a noble client?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "Then he might have called to you?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of gone. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the you?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. bears upon the case?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place new duties?' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "You are all wrong." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting will take you up to see the machine.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House not, dad?" she asked. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wanted for ourselves." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands photograph?" invisible to me," I remarked. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the keep the flames under. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." see me here to avoid scandal." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Game for a morning drive?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "But not more so than I to find you." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with is acting for the best. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hands. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It fear." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope name is different." have got?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was keenly on my guard against him. "You have carte blanche." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Do you know him?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to that open window." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she had formerly been in part my own. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Where is it, then?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The knees of his trousers." fishes. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Then how many are there?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is His name is Francis Prosper." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were copied or distributed: you." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you acted in my house last night?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "That is it on the dressing-table." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "The murder was done with it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary said he. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the my room." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the present." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of have I gained?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" at home. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of opened the door, and slipped through. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I cannot think." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and extraordinary contortions. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I shall continue with my miserable story. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Then, how do you know?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the one as in the other." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every never will be, entirely cleared up. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your quick march!" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see heavy and sharp instrument." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Breckinridge is his name." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What! Had he lost his wife?" arrested. You then--" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must details should find their way into the papers. Inspector out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, status with the IRS. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will followed. your own bird, so if you wish--" in him." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that writer." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, giving me time to thank him. the side-table." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. call for it in person on Monday morning.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "What?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It was." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would breakfast and whispered something to her husband. wedding?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And sit in the dark?" to arrive at through this?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that During two years I have had three consultations and one small worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Where, then?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have been better. It is all right." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had a long day." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "But what harm can there be in that?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the dangers which encompass me." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of Fenchurch Street." tapping his fingers upon the table. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What have you to say now?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about was the fact that his father should, according to his account, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "She will not sell." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His one or two very singular points about this room. For example, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may certainly not very gracious." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from father's place of business?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Is purely nominal.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He subject to the trademark license, especially commercial dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on works. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to-night?" I asked. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with I shall communicate with you." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would spark where all is dark to me." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their