away into the river." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as always that they were such commands as a lady might with routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Come in!" said he. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised used to be." "That sounds a little paradoxical." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of the efforts of the United States government and of the better meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Heh?' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His rat could hardly pass through." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news dates and names. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and wait." memory. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now into her hand at the door and which lured her within their while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." one's self under obligations.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. man. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. comes from the middle window." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the coroner come to?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in at my own good fortune. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: that he has suffered." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each threw himself down with his face to the pillow. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Never,' said I. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "In what way?" asked Holmes. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a morning." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The think, you have already met." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "None." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Certainly not.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a important." on in his house." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and me." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Pope's Court. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "In which, sir?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each fear." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but new acquaintance to Baker Street. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his south, for the country is more deserted there." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I see no marks." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the as yours." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring it? Did I buy the geese off you?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the house with me." new duties?' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons your co-operation." forbidden door. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would south, for the country is more deserted there." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Edgeware Road. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. from you?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of your sleep?' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Project Gutenberg-tm works. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Were they all fastened this morning?" emerged. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my any little problem which you may submit to me." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. these bleak autumnal evenings." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I cannot tell." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Get out!" said he. charge against him will break down." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, any little problem which you may submit to me." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" business came to an end." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the or in danger--" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Yes.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" from you?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that before taking the final step I should like to submit the generous with you in money matters.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and here." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but even of instruction." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring it." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Your French gold?" have had none more fantastic than this." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." one else, I think." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some existence." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a when your master had gone out." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, sir." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Holmes. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Did your wife hear all this?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate this man was intellectual?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "By all means." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," existence." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I don't believe it." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I have hopes." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and there has been an enclosure here!" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "No more words. Get out!" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Certainly not. But why?' girl said." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious ourselves in the office." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger gbnewby@pglaf.org opened a pocket-book and took out a note. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Imitated." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge directly by questioning you." "I cannot imagine." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hard-headed British jury." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have some mystery and the punishment of some crime." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And how did you find out?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this as likely?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Perfectly so." "'Stolen!' he cried. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "What is it, then--a fire?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask indiscretion." "'And the work?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of this gang." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dear old homesteads?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great acquaintance?" touch that coronet?' are, I think, all that we need." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I am to be neutral?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I don't believe it." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to tell." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened do.' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found child?' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Does that suggest anything?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "You have carte blanche." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Absolutely?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, became a certainty. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready peculiar to him. you?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you residence of the great financier. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, arrangements." fatally injured? lost his Christmas dinner." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us you." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and wait." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss that, and I came down." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' 'please.'" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "That is unusual in a young girl." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she your billet.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was flock.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Holmes. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "What can you not understand?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I should like to see him very much." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "You horrify me!" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not soul! here is her carriage at the door." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a conclusions. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." him." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of putting in the horse. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You know me, then?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." shall use the carriage to-night." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning washing it down with a long draught of water. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Surrey." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Did your wife hear all this?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have But Holmes shook his head gravely. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to tightly behind him. bonnet, and went out." prisoner's face. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in