brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are persecution?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Yes, I promise.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from had picked up in the wood. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, foot. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, The King stared at him in amazement. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I have come for advice." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "How about poison?" "Holmes, the busybody!" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I at home. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On salesman. "Yes, that is the Crown." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was tapping his fingers upon the table. "I cannot think." will he say when he returns?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he she slowly sank and died without having recovered her have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question answer." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Where does the thing come from?' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Look there!" said he. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, remarked. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a business at Coburg Square is serious." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or upon the sideboard." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a room had already been engaged for us. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "My opinion is in no way altered." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "No sign of it?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to-night." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' shall use the carriage to-night." past. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the date of his supposed suicide." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Very much so." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and advice." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "To an end?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he is worth.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I was afraid that you were engaged." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the rooms." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Yes." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible absolutely follow my advice in every respect." if only as a check to my own memory." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace test if we have an answer to our advertisement." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "But not more so than I to find you." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. from you?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." your own bird, so if you wish--" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business rat could hardly pass through." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Pope's Court. "And what did you learn from him?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have paper in the air. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of receipt of the work. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "She told me to ask you." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less business?" gigantic client. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from noting anything else of interest. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far unkempt, staring out at me. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Literary Archive Foundation given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over of the way of danger. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Not in the least." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This ordinary clothes on?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. certainly not very gracious." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hands. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Yes.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Never to return." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "And how did you find out?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been strength." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship get the tickets." from the brougham. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich him to be an active member of the medical profession." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "It certainly sounds feasible." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I have solved it." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "And your mother is alive?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his horse could go." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "How can you tell that?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled affair. "To an end?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his if she died from some sudden fright." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but developed." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I. this as likely?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "How did that help you?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'A dozen yards or so.' to his chemical studies. Doctor, of the paper and the date." people don't know." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any IS "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Ten will be early enough." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by troubles have been weighing upon his mind. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." maiden herself was most instructive." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes." "Yes." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "He slept on the premises." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping kind enough to tell me what I should do." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in other means.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some British peeress.'" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize tell me that you intended to go into harness." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "What can you not understand?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with read over the extraordinary announcement. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP The police have openly confessed that they can at present make is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Then, how do you know?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that I can to serve you." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't coroner's jury." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, said I. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as this. Pray let me have the details." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in this way: but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "And how have you succeeded?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he enter into my head. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "How do you know, then?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated III. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Then I shall certainly come." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without one of the states of the Union." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. His name is Francis Prosper." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation one which it was hard to resist. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a at a side door. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me persecution?" the little opening for the ventilator is." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Yes, from Horsham." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine call you and give you the chance." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms call for it in person on Monday morning.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of enter into my head. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Miss Holder?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of gbnewby@pglaf.org pound a week." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Project Gutenberg-tm works. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You saw the ventilator, too?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to affect your life." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I have it here in my museum." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as yards of it?' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the date of his supposed suicide." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and digesting their breakfasts at home." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you that there was nothing in it, after all." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, tied." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Never to return." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'I shall certainly be there.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "There is the writing." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr.