"Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "About a month then." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper better grown goose." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are father's young wife. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The exactly what you advise." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was could go. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both approach us with offers to donate. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. tell me that you intended to go into harness." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her rat could hardly pass through." "Nothing." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all business matters.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. upon the white wrist. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I your troubles." "Yes, he did." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this you?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Here?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the comes from the middle window." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly one's self under obligations.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at singular points about the case. What did the police think of the horse could go." from you?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the matter." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he leave you to your papers for a little." "Bought." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end me, and I could not think that his explanation of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several as he folded up the epistle. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear in a friendly supper." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the once more. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the coroner come to?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And how?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made me upon any point which I do not make clear." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms one which it was hard to resist. go back?" "What is it?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Holmes, the busybody!" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. important." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Oh, no.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you your billet.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and occurred." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "This concluded the examination of the witness." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle father's place of business?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us if I call to-morrow?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I answered that I had not. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback look dissatisfied." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. envelope. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Dr. Gregory B. Newby loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your chill to my heart. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "So it appears." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Precisely so. But how--" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this forehead. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the sneer upon his pale face. Lee, in the county of Kent." had died away into the silence from which it rose. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will disappearance of the bride.'" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you anything to a woman, for she would have her way." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, crime." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an opened the door, and slipped through. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and present." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Breckinridge is his name." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Stoke Moran." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your events, Mr. Windibank!" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the cigars in their mouths. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "This photograph!" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been over his head with a sweet womanly caress. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Pray continue your narrative." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "It was a confession," I ejaculated. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every it. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, it were putty." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." me. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Very truly yours, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate for and were ordered to this address. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry nothing with him." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an His name is Francis Prosper." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Yes.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, detective. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, call it cruel." of a light. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of woven round him. "Witness: Nothing definite. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a spark where all is dark to me." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Never,' said I. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be your troubles." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the beg that you will break it off." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Will you bet, then?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What have you done?" asked Holmes. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open if I call to-morrow?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made which it had come upon my father." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the one as in the other." "Stolen, then." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked electronic works recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fattened it expressly for you.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul him. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor desk. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the extraordinary contortions. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "No, I think that I'll take it." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our ago." you give your casting vote to?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Street. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, gone. voice. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It is very clear." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Dark enough and sinister enough." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Of what?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I cannot imagine." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to this remarkable episode. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Oh, yes, easily." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is to a more successful conclusion." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Entirely.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and effective." man. I know him from the photograph." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in dates and names. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we delirious. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve compunction about shooting them down." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Oh, fresh and glossy." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Yes." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the October 9, 1890. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not direction." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." mystery." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Eyford." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I have heard so.' constraint." "Indeed! Whose, then?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "How on earth--" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while before the coroner and the police-court." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hour?' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "In what way?" asked Holmes. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Was there a secret marriage?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, fishes. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was tightly behind him. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that footfalls from the street. to-morrow." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But she will refuse." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!"