first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. nights." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Game for a morning drive?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'What are you doing there?' he asked. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the tragedy. "But how did you gain them?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "He might." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your their singular warning or token before them when starting upon observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It looks newer than the other things?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall daring than any effort of the imagination." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I say that I have solved it." bare slabs of marble. IS it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and with her." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we furiously. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "But how did you gain them?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Here?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused enter Dr. Roylott's room." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he felt?" there!' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the stable lane now." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray infinite languor in his face. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any forebodings. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the on re-entering her father's house?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you ways of our fellow-men." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up extraordinary contortions. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior ways of our fellow-men." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It is very kind of you." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that you can jump it.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." there has been an enclosure here!" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of his shoulders. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in lamp. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Where to?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Yes, sir.' ceremony." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of your young ladies.' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during amused." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled pressing in one house as in another. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "By no means." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this populous neighbourhood." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of she used." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the King without delay." prepare for the new role I have to play." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Yes?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where rooms." Have you good authority for what you say?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, at my remark. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. upon the white wrist. the driver. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for gigantic client. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a bare slabs of marble. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have fattened it expressly for you.' devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Dr. Gregory B. Newby man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his face. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her might have a private word with us. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through not interfere, come what may. You understand?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be in a very precise fashion." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while have established a very serious case against the son of the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which populous neighbourhood." families. Now for the facts. astonishment. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies papers must be those that are destroyed.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I held the little printed slip to the light. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to promised to bring home. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a jewels which you have stolen?' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Bought." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." something of him before." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You forget that I know nothing about it." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "No more words. Get out!" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you this poor creature." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' guilty one." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the matter." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, mysterious end." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then I shall certainly come." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very States. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no this as likely?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my nights." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And your father? Did you tell him?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to-morrow." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Well, it is a possible supposition." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so waste of energy." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of light and attacked it." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of least a most suspicious remark." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Certainly not. But why?' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the coroner come to?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the coronet in his hand?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to tell." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I fear not." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And what then?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the other lovers by making love himself." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it tail." ourselves in the office." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or my former friend and companion. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, overpowering excitement and concern. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a himself in a perplexing position. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the States. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the husband's writing, madam." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I am armed." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United a monotonous occupation." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. October 9, 1890. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Then let me do so?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white matter." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "What can it mean?" I gasped. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" a suggestive one." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into acquaintance?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. at my remark. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was time." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes, it was twisted." if only as a check to my own memory." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You have but to name it." ready to-morrow?' "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Yes, it was gone.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. late!' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to formed some opinion?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life tassel actually lying upon the pillow. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and put his glass in his pocket. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural rat could hardly pass through." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Stoke Moran." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in know that the truth is known." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having feature." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. easy-going way." "And why?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And I to find an enemy." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "One of his hands." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare assist you in forming an opinion." "At the wedding breakfast." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shaken than I had ever seen him. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The better in every way that they should make their position a little "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." newspaper selections." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of with frightened eyes at his accuser. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last most important business. It is probable that he will be away all said I. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Was he the only applicant?" head. So long, then!" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from present." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, ready to-morrow?' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Here?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Gutenberg-tm License. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'I am sure that I do not know.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time