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"Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "But his lameness?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Your sister is dead, then?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very union?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is fattened it expressly for you.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Why? What do you mean?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Surrey." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'I am sure if I had known--' just called myself is not exactly my own." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And what did you learn from him?" "The best possible." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by them?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must some water from a caraffe. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the running down." "I was mad--insane." maiden herself was most instructive." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his envelope. have got?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I have solved it." "What! You do not mean bodies?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Where to?' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence business." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent me upon any point which I do not make clear." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I extraordinary contortions. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to have been novel and of interest." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. remarked. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would McCarthy." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." that I may have something better before very many minutes are from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight depend upon your compliance." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and inquire as to the address." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, strong and stiff." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael wedding?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and looking up at the numbers of the houses." "No." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the morning and make my own way in the world.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I should wish to." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes, it would be as well." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof I took the paper from him and read as follows: his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot returning from some small jollification and was making his way occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." national property. I was determined that the law should have its if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the of this gang." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these my little problems." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Will you go?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' The King stared at him in amazement. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up to some other building. with some details as to your case." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Precisely so. But how--" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Foundation made his money." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to some other building. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to foot. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Absolutely none." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and name is different." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which felt the room to be a little close.' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been thought that she would have been so carried away." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just will he say when he returns?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes, all." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Where, then, is my wife?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It is solved." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Witness: Nothing definite. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates extraordinary contortions. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the http://gutenberg.net/license). "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I do." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat rose-bushes. tell him that I know him to be innocent." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." views." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But you have hopes?" the very morning of the wedding." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, developed." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, at my own good fortune. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their of them has the shutters up.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about asked. overpowering excitement and concern. "How about poison?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Literary Archive Foundation "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just cigars in their mouths. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 have accepted such a situation. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "And I to find an enemy." "And why?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not your only hope of safety." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Stolen, then." I nodded again. bell. Holmes whistled. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I should wish to." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "His face fell immediately. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I am to be neutral?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me you understand?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried amused." "None. Neville wrote those words." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You will not go there first?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and that he would see to anything that turned up. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, you for a few hours?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Absolutely none." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived present." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles have accepted such a situation. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "And help." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of the vacancies.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman wanted for ourselves." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and the colonel ushered me in. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hopeless attempt at recovering them." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching disappearance of the bride.'" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. money should be paid at once.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very meant." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. situation." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Holmes' thin, eager face. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been pressing in one house as in another. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and I shall be with you presently." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. province." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley But Holmes shook his head gravely. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." gigantic client. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a memory. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now rose-bushes. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Stoke Moran?" said he. upon a handsome competence. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders a room. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "No?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "One of the highest in England." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." address. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her time." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "The King of Scandinavia." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "It is his hat." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. occupations.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you enough to aid us in our search." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the coronet at all injured?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." as he remarks, very much against the son." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. my friend's incisive reasoning. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies morning." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Do you know him?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I peculiar to him. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? distinguish the words: Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying felt the room to be a little close.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "What?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Certainly." "Yes, all." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, three of the beryls in it, was missing. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices