upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate few hundred pounds.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed there were one or two details which were new to me. But the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from mystery may be cleared along those lines." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the It may be so in this case, also." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Not particularly." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was not a bird to be seen there. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Never." to a more successful conclusion." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'I shall certainly be there.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Serpentine Avenue. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "By no means." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. call you and give you the chance." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'Yes, it was gone.' bears upon the case?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You have a clue?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was a perfect sample of the class. "And for present expenses?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would was feeling which was the fattest.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Why did you beat the pavement?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "No." coat-tails." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This went to the Alpha were town bred." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master written. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'I am sure that I do not know.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same go from here to the Strand." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dead, shall be safe with us." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. prison!" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are out." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the very old mansion. least a most suspicious remark." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "But what harm can there be in that?" "Not yet." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of note-paper. It read in this fashion: terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has crackling voice. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Holmes. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of Mr. Rucastle's." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "The knees of his trousers." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened his fortune, and I went back to pa. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Yes." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you ran thus: Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his past. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Yes, I have one waiting." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He keep the flames under. taking in every detail of the apartment. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. clang of the bell. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Whose house is it?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I was concerned in it." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for never came back." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. experiences." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It is half-past ten now." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "What of the rat, then?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "But what will you do?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I do." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, remarked. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "No sign of it?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we floor. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or tension within him. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project it with his own hands." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the dangers which encompass me." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." over with notes and figures. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that said he. flock.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon becomes even more simple." conduct the inquiry." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Of what day?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all intrusion of other matters." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "No, thank goodness, she did not." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the IS called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'I am sure that I do not know.' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hair?' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what shall use the carriage to-night." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Where to?' very morning of my second wedding." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in occurred." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Then he might have called to you?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and tied." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'What, the red-headed man?' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle business." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a lips." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such becomes even more simple." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I shall communicate with you." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the come either from the window or the door. My attention was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here once more. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been lips." your co-operation." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure shoulder; "he's all right." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally have one." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Yes." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you depend upon my doing so.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the driver. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Certainly." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend with some details as to your case." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the date of his supposed suicide." "It surprised me." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is once more. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," eat it." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Will you go?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some his forehead." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I should be so warm over such a trifle." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either furiously. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Never." might help us?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary strange features which were associated with the two crimes which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was used.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Dr. Becher's." strength." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very DAMAGE. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Gutenberg-tm License. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Ample." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "She told me to ask you." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Of Friday, June 19th." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was always that they were such commands as a lady might with States. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification dear old homesteads?" to change my dress. crime. "Precisely." leave you to your papers for a little." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. voice. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near which our visitor detailed to us. II. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of plantation.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Was your sister dressed?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Where could I find him?' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It goes to the housekeeper's room." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the bottom.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "But what is it you wish?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Yes, from Horsham." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent instincts rose up against that laugh. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Were they all fastened this morning?"