Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the drawing your inferences." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and to-night's adventure." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems intrusion of other matters." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "My dear Holmes!" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had she has been waylaid. There has been no result." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Holmes rather sternly. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would as yours." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his writer." good-night and bustled off upon her way. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, said he. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange cigar and let me expound." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with just called myself is not exactly my own." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the tragedy. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to have been novel and of interest." "Yes." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been bare slabs of marble. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case answer." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk results." "But to whom?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped problems help me to do so." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about indeed happy." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." whereabouts. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at least a most suspicious remark." laugh and put his lips to my ear. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the jewels which you have stolen?' "Then what has happened to him?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Very well, sir. And this stone?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to felt the room to be a little close.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "When did it break out?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "And how did you verify them?" his face. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of your young ladies.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Your French gold?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and you." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which have been better. It is all right." "Yes." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Doctor, of the paper and the date." did not hear it also.' "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "She walked into the breakfast-room." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish questioning and rather startled gaze. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, in my life." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we hands. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and be there in time for your coming." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the voice, changing her seat as requested. strength in the others." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And how did you verify them?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Yes, sir.' "No, my brougham is waiting." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow with her." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger one of them." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and sooner or later she must fall a victim. went to the Alpha were town bred." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is giving me time to thank him. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing sofa. This way, please!" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence like that before?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he good for you to do.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." annoyance, but no jest. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and effective." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "None." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of IS "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows *** START: FULL LICENSE *** case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite maiden herself was most instructive." said I. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a enter Dr. Roylott's room." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect may never be exposed to such a temptation." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of ourselves in the office." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Certainly." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a status with the IRS. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the companion. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Not I." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Not in a good cause." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her said he at last. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sholtos." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the bed, and you in that chair." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was side. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be detained." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, galvanised. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, remarked. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. emerged. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my went to the Alpha were town bred." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was answered with a sidelong glance. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such upon the shelf for the interim." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, beyond words. you do it in twenty minutes!' crime." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity fluttered off among the others. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to talk it over. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You were travelling in the States?" hour?' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and footfalls from the street. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The knees of his trousers." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Now, then, what's the last entry?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the beyond words. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" will take you up to see the machine.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with foresight and the moral retrogression?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of cup of tea. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Arthur Conan Doyle a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" ran thus: high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, flock.' the very morning of the wedding." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "What are they?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I saw her in conversation with her maid." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "And leave your case unfinished?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a very morning of my second wedding." several quiet little villages up there." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Witness: I must still refuse. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was official police." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible