"That's no good." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her enter into my head. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the general public were present, then?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Then how many are there?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away chamber." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful here." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But we can't all be." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the room while you explain this matter?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we chemical work which was so dear to him. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, States. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced dead, shall be safe with us." cup of tea. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked meant." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in your equipment. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, call the police, let the police find what they can.' security.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows friend's singular character. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than discontent upon his features. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I shall continue with my miserable story. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "By train from Waterloo." "Married! When?" mysterious business." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for than to us. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of come either from the window or the door. My attention was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous highly," said Holmes. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." you in yours." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried signal between you and your father? sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get breakfast?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to in his hands." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we arms and began to sob in a high treble key. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such go from here to the Strand." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a with frightened eyes at his accuser. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was upon the shelf for the interim." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, quickly through a disagreeable task. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't your co-operation." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the certainly do as you advise." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the south-west, I see." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to light and attacked it." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found gigantic client. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really business." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove joking. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the that you can jump it.' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Ample.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a obstinate." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would cost them two and thirty pounds." at a side door. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said your only hope of safety." south, for the country is more deserted there." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Yes.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Was your sister dressed?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in three of the beryls in it, was missing. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You were travelling in the States?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back telegram would bring me down to your help." is worth.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "About a month then." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered already been minutely examined." "ARAT," I read. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Yes." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied formed some opinion?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his outside. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money noble correspondent could be. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "It is solved." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "No." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have article?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "And from a noble client?" his face. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in his hands." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Ten to two.' "But we can't all be." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the Red-headed League." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was stood on the top of it. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Then the page we have seen--" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my it." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this to his chemical studies. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." three of the beryls in it, was missing. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dates and names. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the dangers which encompass me." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I will do it." have got?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had enter Dr. Roylott's room." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of it with the greatest attention. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'You cannot say what it was?' with you alone." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us criminal. We have already had experience of such." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I do." client, rising. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle quickly through a disagreeable task. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room mysterious end." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. meanly of me." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" how narrow had been my escape. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he means taking possession of that which another person has a prior arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to maiden herself was most instructive." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our sufficient punishment." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must their singular warning or token before them when starting upon him. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those get her out of the way." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the door?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "By no means." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found just called myself is not exactly my own." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him triumphant cloud from his cigarette. nonsense.' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And your father? Did you tell him?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. quickly through a disagreeable task. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' used to be." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "My stepfather's business papers." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it works. See paragraph 1.E below. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually more solid." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, long narrative. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that, and I came down." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Nothing." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and your bag." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed appointment with me for six o'clock?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the more solid." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "On the contrary, this is the right side." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that more terrible than the truth. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Quite sure, dad.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the appeared upon the scene." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler fluttered off among the others. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think even of instruction." "Murdered?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in anything to do with the matter?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy one of them." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was tell me that you intended to go into harness." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I whereabouts. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of spare." room?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and