has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." character. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled once more for Briony Lodge. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have see me here to avoid scandal." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon colour had been driven from his face. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Yes.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the south-west, I see." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have come for advice." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "What, then, did Peterson do?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your room?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in my life." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "There are none." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay was shining brightly. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from unprofitable." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to that open window." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred that threaten you." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went infinite languor in his face. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I do.' "It must be recovered." she used." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the Assizes." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Not him." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush wedding?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and effective." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by me." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What will you say?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hands. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Upon what point?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in forehead. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And how did he make his money?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious there has been an enclosure here!" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Not particularly." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "What of the rat, then?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. happened." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into telegram would bring me down to your help." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the very morning of the wedding." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I think that it is very probable." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary in the dead of the night?' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "What will you do, then?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "By no means." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "What then?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and nonsense.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Certainly, madam." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. man. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Chief Executive and Director key of the affair now." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at make me his representative both with the servants and with the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought enter Dr. Roylott's room." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and rose-bushes. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the examine." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. shall use the carriage to-night." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, as yours." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the outside." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Not yet." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Yes, it would be as well." "He said that you could solve anything." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up know that the truth is known." "In which, sir?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently know what is wrong with it.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are know that the truth is known." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Mrs. Toller serenely. meant." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Entirely.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have place of silver." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke yourselves in at night?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Quite sure, dad.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." did not hear it also.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as I shall continue with my miserable story. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of becomes even more simple." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such goes." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "What can it mean?" I gasped. reach." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his leave you to your papers for a little." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely II. at home. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his carpenter." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, certainly." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Precisely." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. about here speaks of his kindness to him." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I see no marks." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she goes." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but plantation.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "It is possible." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I one of them." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Yes, I have one waiting." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "You have carte blanche." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, photograph a cabinet?" one of the states of the Union." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that the gas is not laid on in his house?" writing, and yet I know it well." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not arms and began to sob in a high treble key. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. done what I asked you, Jones?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Very good.' room. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a politicians who had been sent down from the North. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must The telegram which we eventually received came late one night he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, fashion which was peculiar to him. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You heard nothing yourself last night?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Yes, I promise.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Then what has happened to him?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would bedroom door." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic article?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Yes." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "It looks newer than the other things?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. again before evening." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Game for a morning drive?" "Yes, sir." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive extraordinary contortions. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to tackle the facts." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Never to return." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "VIOLET HUNTER." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were tear off another piece?' business came to an end." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Pray let us have it, for all that." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low giving me time to thank him. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, hand, madam?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain with the outside air!" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here hand, madam?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Who was the criminal, then?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of Mr. Rucastle's." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah coroner's jury." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at must be when I saw the door open.' generous with you in money matters.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of noble correspondent could be. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." bedroom door." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a little more before I quite committed myself. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'What would be the hours?' I asked. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really What do you deduce from it?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." digesting their breakfasts at home." the morning and make my own way in the world.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe new acquaintance to Baker Street. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Arthur Conan Doyle "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a are windows in it, of course?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us.