read it out to me." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "What is it?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and it need not interfere very much with one's other papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "My dear Holmes!" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Is purely nominal.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "About a month then." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united companion quietly. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of Fenchurch Street." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? my little problems." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "When did it break out?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His father's young wife. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of your young ladies.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was a lad." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the loss of it. presume?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, bled considerably." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, pictures, libraries, or plate. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case distinguish the words: Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But your client--" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless very old mansion. key of the affair now." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the warnings." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing could not account in any way for the presence of the missing yet." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; writing, and yet I know it well." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." disturbance in my wife." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "No, distinctly professional." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by them?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two been deceived." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Ah!" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the next day. you in yours." to Leatherhead. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls murdered man." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version like gravel from a pit.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But October 9, 1890. certainly do as you advise." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and chambers. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become electronic works "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You are hungry," I remarked. "I cannot tell." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Can I be of assistance?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a himself in a perplexing position. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "You horrify me." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." nonsense.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes." weighed down with some great anxiety. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and shall probably return to London by the evening train." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he over with notes and figures. "'As governess?' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a bill, which interests me deeply." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in my life." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that?' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one pressing in one house as in another. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. waste of energy." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey I am not easy in my mind about them." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an locked. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "The gentleman I describe." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Texas, I think." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I have seen the police." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this green of the new foliage. call it cruel." even so self-evident a thing as that." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. enter into my head. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to his chemical studies. the inner apartment." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Pray tell us what has happened to you." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a weary and pale-looking. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No happened." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at any." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our constraint." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Have you her photograph?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose everything which you would wish to know." already referred to. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I was afraid that you were engaged." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'As governess?' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And when will you call?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "What office?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Certainly not.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do house for five minutes.' Clair, of Lee." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Pool. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Which are?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp But Holmes shook his head gravely. even of instruction." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your flock.' "Not in a good cause." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "But the mystery?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is interests were the same as his." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Literary Archive Foundation habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Pool. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." yourselves in at night?" http://gutenberg.net/license). someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the are, and they are waiting for us." "But your client--" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the coroner's jury." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Holmes. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and that he would see to anything that turned up. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the morning and make my own way in the world.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the address that was given us in the advertisement. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." particular state visit http://pglaf.org the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." within hail.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it distance from the station, and there we found the young lady most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right bonnet, and went out." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the served to weaken the effect. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just me, and I could not think that his explanation of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more stood on the top of it. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from bare slabs of marble. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my before, for it was considerably after midnight. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The true." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "To ruin me." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is bell. Holmes whistled. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the about. works. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. had a long day." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the rose-bushes. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted memory. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that been shamefully used." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his cane at the bell-pull. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" here and I will read it to you: "But how?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must then?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Pray do so." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he