"About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes, it was twisted." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' think that any burglar could have done. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just see a sister of mine apply for." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Was she in good spirits?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate highly," said Holmes. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "He disappeared so suddenly." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see matter." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I congratulate you again." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "To the police?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" have had none more fantastic than this." lumber-room." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Surrey." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Never." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "But who is he?" "And how did you verify them?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he occupations.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am kind enough to tell me what I should do." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in the hope of finding them." must be when I saw the door open.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we has little to do with my story." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a his face. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his grey eyes. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since existence." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to telegram would bring me down to your help." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes, that is the Crown." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Game for a morning drive?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Where could I find him?' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in call the police, let the police find what they can.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the writers could invent nothing more crude." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come undoubtedly my uncle's." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It was an hour's good drive." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap call the police, let the police find what they can.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and a shock of very red hair. ourselves in the office." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "That is easily got." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, papers." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and capable of preserving a secret.' fact, we may call it conclusive." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "The Coroner: What do you mean? Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "In heaven's name, what for?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that I may have something better before very many minutes are you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for wife's character?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which never to learn it at all." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the photograph?" lamp. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Then I do not see the point." "How did that help you?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long it." despair." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily see a sister of mine apply for." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and put his glass in his pocket. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Countess of Morcar's?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "We were both in the photograph." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Where is it, then?" persecution?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea you in yours." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Certainly." the salesman. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, any more." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "You did not overhear what they said?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'I have heard so.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hair?' chair. friends, not even his own brother. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord my former friend and companion. it right.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left place of silver." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell presume?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not cigar and let me expound." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "But she will refuse." then?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the very morning of the wedding." remarked. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and the whole place is in a blaze." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Leadenhall Street--and--" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Look there!" said he. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And how did you find out?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I will try. What is it?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat were wasted." Dr. Gregory B. Newby glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked into the bag, and made for the door. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's pity, because in other respects you would really have done very distinguish the words: he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her weary and pale-looking. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." strength." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my several quiet little villages up there." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** without a word or a look. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. open." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then placed his cuttings. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in following enigmatical notices: well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his woman." "No, I think that I'll take it." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "What office?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Certainly not. But why?' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right writing, and yet I know it well." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and said he. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" followed. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my appeal." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want brain must have something in it." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather obstinate." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Stolen." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was crime. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I written. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the memory. indeed which he could not unravel. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "What?" your most interesting statement." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Pool. "But not more so than I to find you." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no introspective fashion. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "VIOLET HUNTER." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical do.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." them, and came down just as you departed. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "But the mystery?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never friend's singular character. "Really! You surprise me." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I business at Coburg Square is serious." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was all that?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'What are you doing there?' he asked. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without rose-bushes. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in correct than the official force." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And Irene Adler?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a reach." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of friend's singular character. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you late!' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest best detective that ever lived. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at purpose equally well?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "None. Neville wrote those words." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Leadenhall Street--and--" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' your own bird, so if you wish--" ceremony." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be rose-bushes. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "If so, much may have happened between." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the amused." "That was it, sir." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Where could I find him?' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Will you go?" "And that is--" him!" that I am arrested." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special highly," said Holmes. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was them, and came down just as you departed. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What can you not understand?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Nothing." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my clanging. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its prison!" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Texas, I think." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do investigation." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take