'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone think that he is innocent?" some city in a dream. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Countess of Morcar's?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Eyford at 11:15.' matters immensely." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite it? Did I buy the geese off you?" any more." Again Holmes raved in the air. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works goes." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. enter into my head. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin you do it in twenty minutes!' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case himself. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'And the work?' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, back alive. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Sholtos." it. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has all-comprehensive glances. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. dates and names. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lamp in his hand. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the coronet in his hands?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. round and wave him away like that.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I promise," said Holmes. suddenly upon us." the warnings." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you whole matter to your consideration." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a bird I ate is country bred." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even habit of advancing money.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "And how did you find out?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "But his left-handedness." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you seven miles from Eyford Station.' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that chance." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be retorted upon me, and I on you." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't crime." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It was." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' room?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm acted in my house last night?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" all-comprehensive glances. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All residence of the great financier. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "You forget that I know nothing about it." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away case before our client came into the room." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point humiliation." "When did it break out?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. closely." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Foundation us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Where to?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Perfectly so." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other he died? were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can touch that coronet?' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But your client--" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of your young ladies.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It's nothing of the kind." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' she to prove their authenticity?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his learned something! Where are the gems?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul depend upon my doing so.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been burst into a hearty fit of laughter. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay this unhappy family?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "He said too much." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to a light-house. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it four million human beings all jostling each other within the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out infinite languor in his face. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical house for five minutes.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to-night?" I asked. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or DAMAGE. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no retorted upon me, and I on you." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me unclasping of his long thin hands. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Yes, sir.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the had a long day." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to have been novel and of interest." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. round with crates and massive boxes. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of London for the present?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "In which, sir?" feature." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my status with the IRS. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger flock.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had went to the Alpha were town bred." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "And when will you call?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I be sorry for having acted so harshly." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole heavily into it. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. empty. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we problems help me to do so." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler one which it was hard to resist. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features said I. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark clanging. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, key of the affair now." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it with his own hands." seem to you to be relevant or not." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of this gang." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "ARAT," I read. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And how have you succeeded?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was married her." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out bird I ate is country bred." key turn in the lock." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. were new raised from a basin. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." bare slabs of marble. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Pope's Court, Fleet Street." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Precisely." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the one as in the other." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many me. You must get home instantly and act." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Then he might have called to you?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Nothing." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, friends, not even his own brother. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "What can it mean?" I gasped. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove married her." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which events than those which have happened in my own family." man. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "My own seal." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. grasp, he hurried from the room. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Pray do so." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" upon a handsome competence. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort him. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to surprise her." "You saw the ventilator, too?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question detective. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the leaning back in his chair. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Which dealer's?' "Yes, I have one waiting." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent problems help me to do so." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." companion. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I should be immensely obliged to you." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, tear off another piece?' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great spark where all is dark to me." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a