it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark third from London." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Have you it here?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It came here." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of them has the shutters up.' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "No, finished." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to change my dress. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would details." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet some place of shelter and let the county police know what has as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." has little to do with my story." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." charged with?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have a little more before I quite committed myself. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both me." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the coronet at all injured?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for such attractions and accomplishments?' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Holmes, the busybody!" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to skylight. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I am about to be married." before the coroner and the police-court." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Well." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to footfalls from the street. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen think you a quite exceptional woman." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to-night's adventure." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared all?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. husband's writing, madam." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Munro.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should 1.F. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the nights." "Yes, sir." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My conclusions. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense spare." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. of campaign. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' persecution?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is again, where I was soon asleep. within hail.' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was lost nothing by them." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he envelope. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Cross for the Continent." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just nothing with him." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. affection." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and cigar and let me expound." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The murder was done with it." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hair?' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Oh, fresh and glossy." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "She showed me, as I told you she would." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that easy-going way." are, I think, all that we need." "That was it, sir." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. chill to my heart. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient if I call to-morrow?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "How did he come?" your billet.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a within hail.' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. way: eat it." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have matter." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord could go. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "And I say east," said my patient. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reach." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I heavily into it. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with until night should bring an explanation. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Then I do not see the point." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I will try. What is it?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, before the coroner and the police-court." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "How did you trace it, then?" directors, with the result that you have seen." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your behind me. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a to take care of herself." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hair?' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this voice. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The King stared at him in amazement. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting when your master had gone out." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a there was no need for father to know." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and less than 26s. 4d. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in 11:15.' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the date of his supposed suicide." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then more solid." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "How did you trace it, then?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You gone. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" young Openshaw's." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "May I see it?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "The vanishing of the lady." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. himself in a perplexing position. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "What I expected to see." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me in darkness. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he died? something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "You have it, sir, just as it happened." page at http://pglaf.org ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Very much so." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor which should have the effect of calling the attention of the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Serpentine Avenue. You want to know what became of those geese?" out." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Her father is very rich?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "We were both in the photograph." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and know what is wrong with it.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he nonsense.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Mary, has deserted me." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She go--none." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sparkled upon his finger. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were again on its way. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Then I do not see the point." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Was he the only applicant?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying call for protection in the marriage market, for the present just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Yes, sir." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, which was all perfectly true. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Is purely nominal.' sparkled upon his finger. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "He might." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Sholtos." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project attention." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic voice. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Leadenhall Street--and--" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Did you observe the colour?" a suggestive one." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a case before our client came into the room." views." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But we can't all be." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Your French gold?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, man. "Not yet." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we matter over." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and only touch the interest." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Come in!" said he. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the upon the shelf for the interim." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the with you alone." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not to change my dress. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father it." appeal." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "What steps will you take?" I asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. ventilator." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "But how did you gain them?" rat could hardly pass through." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "She showed me, as I told you she would." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his it were putty." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six swore that no one else had been in the front room during the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her you?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent official police." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to Leatherhead. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "A greater distance to travel." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project lids now and glanced across at his visitor. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of them has the shutters up.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, out of this horrible affair." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it ways including including checks, online payments and credit card widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'There is a drive, then?' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "In the cells." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ago." "I beg pardon." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" upon an income of about 60 pounds." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold,