Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And Miss Sutherland?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the night.' said he. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "His face fell immediately. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he tell them apart.' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the delirious. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And how?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his face which made him a very different person to the round, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham strong reason behind." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, about. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Her father is very rich?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "To ruin me." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'What, the red-headed man?' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. will be renamed. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." present." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough troubles have been weighing upon his mind. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched nothing of it?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of again, where I was soon asleep. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Stolen, then." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "No?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE as yours." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Upon what point?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Ten to two.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Perfectly so." the night.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water such person." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "What office?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "You have but to name it." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. awaited us upon the table. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right 1.F. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of gone before you can get him to hospital." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "When did she vanish, then?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong most important business. It is probable that he will be away all glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in over with notes and figures. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I took the paper from him and read as follows: a monotonous occupation." and your relations to her." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the front of me. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? them present such singular features as the strange train of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you lips." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Street. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your nothing of it?" "Not I." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the inner apartment." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a business." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, someone who had been in Australia." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has spare." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "And now?" I asked. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the bottom.' "So I am. Very much so." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few forehead. "At the wedding breakfast." friends, not even his own brother. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You that you can jump it.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Bought." power." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Here?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a are, and they are waiting for us." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "What then?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and were unconscious?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate you give your casting vote to?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Dr. Becher's." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and this unhappy family?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the bottom.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The King stared at him in amazement. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining said he. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." shaken than I had ever seen him. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "And how did you find out?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "He is dead," cried several voices. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered at my remark. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made again before evening." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Of what?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "And how have you succeeded?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his was a perfect sample of the class. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "No, but the enclosure is." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, o'clock is it?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated chair. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were papers." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my stepfather?" behind me. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I would pay ten." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as companion. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging my room." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the house for five minutes.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the became a certainty. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so prisoner's face. sound at heart." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And for present expenses?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened noble correspondent could be. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "What!" he roared. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it foresight and the moral retrogression?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, next day. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my province." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "The doctor?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings is a common subject for conversation. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon only touch the interest." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I this man was intellectual?" was lame." you?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. begun to whiten, even as mine has." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "When did it break out?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fluttered off among the others. I held the little printed slip to the light. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very prison!" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a you came in." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Which dealer's?' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland as the one I chose?' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by before the coroner and the police-court." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after back alive. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that there was nothing in it, after all." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "In answer to an advertisement." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very cause to be." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was feeling which was the fattest.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "And your mother is alive?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Nothing." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'What, the red-headed man?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a instituted." and the colonel ushered me in. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." tear off another piece?' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Tell me all about it,' said I. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'What do you call purely nominal?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at it right.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some with some details as to your case." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It surprised me." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as fat-encircled eyes. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I nodded again. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, leaning back in his chair. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, begun to whiten, even as mine has." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as strength in the others." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and