"He disappeared so suddenly." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Ha! you find it so?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "No good news?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "A thing like a cleaver," said he. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Deserted you?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea daring than any effort of the imagination." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy allusion to a rat. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "At what time?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to so far?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I approached. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with the outside air!" noting anything else of interest. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "By train from Waterloo." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made goes." tension within him. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very train from Paddington which would bring you there at about crime." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do instincts rose up against that laugh. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Then you may entirely rely on me." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become second." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed three fields round his house, and there he would take his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly putting in the horse. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll forecastle of an emigrant ship. enter Dr. Roylott's room." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and congratulate you again." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Not him." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You horrify me." "She told me to ask you." "How on earth--" chill to my heart. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same During two years I have had three consultations and one small there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by girl said." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. already been minutely examined." guilty one." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "What can it mean?" I gasped. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "But to whom?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" or other trace. But how on earth--" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and back to my heart. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a pound a week." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a four million human beings all jostling each other within the of this gang." it." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Where, indeed?" "From his hat?" was keenly on my guard against him. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Chief Executive and Director To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "How are you getting on?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Well, it is a possible supposition." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "He slept on the premises." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an into the bag, and made for the door. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It think that any burglar could have done. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign presented which may be striking and bizarre without being dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his eyes and forehead. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fait accompli?" became a certainty. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'And the work?' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Yes, at the mines." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. families. Now for the facts. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the not come at once?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both handed it to him. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "To an end?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been some water from a caraffe. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "A greater distance to travel." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I have it here in my museum." "Dr. Becher's." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from read it out to me." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were new duties?' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment his forehead." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the south, for the country is more deserted there." business." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "But how?" your bag." strength in the others." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "The knees of his trousers." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project more terrible than the truth. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the morning and make my own way in the world.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up village inn over there?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Certainly." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I followed. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin pressing in one house as in another. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said bill, which interests me deeply." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Is he quiet?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as this. Pray let me have the details." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the coronet at all injured?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which in this note: the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You were travelling in the States?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And your mother is alive?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in as this. Pray let me have the details." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "What will you say?" occurred." at my own good fortune. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, train.' know what is wrong with it.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Holmes' face clouded over. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And your mother is alive?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was a lad." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure with the outside air!" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of Mr. Rucastle's." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Nothing?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to a more successful conclusion." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age never will be, entirely cleared up. "I am to be neutral?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I http://gutenberg.net/license). wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. copied or distributed: I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in next day. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking is a common subject for conversation. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Pray do so." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, bird of prey. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the to miss it." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a waste of energy." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "An accident, I presume?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I was mad--insane." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But I have heard all that you have heard." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "At half-wages, in fact." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Of Friday, June 19th." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried murdered man." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it what these perils are?" the window, rose as we entered. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It