"D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Look there!" said he. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. photograph?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. seem to you to be relevant or not." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I promise," said Holmes. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he affection." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I don't believe it." gone before you can get him to hospital." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, the wine-cellar." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "The rest you will leave in our hands." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from this Miss Turner." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I think it very unlikely." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "None." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers woman who has had her own way to make in the world. washing it down with a long draught of water. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It's nothing of the kind." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have disappearance of the bride.'" "And what did you see?" roused himself from his reverie. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. over with notes and figures. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; digesting their breakfasts at home." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which assist you in forming an opinion." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the bed, and you in that chair." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "We were both in the photograph." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I obstinate." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small stalked out of the room. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said what is your own theory as to what took place?" "That is not always so easy." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "When did it break out?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "My own seal." "Did he not advertise?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an British peeress.'" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Sholtos." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." little adventures." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he been shamefully used." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with dramatic, in fact." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots it? Did I buy the geese off you?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." had this final quarrel? attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn money should be paid at once.' so far?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Perhaps we may make them less so." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "An accident, I presume?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was note?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Where, then?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, side. October 9, 1890. that I may have something better before very many minutes are my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face think, you have already met." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I am all attention, madam." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were affection." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his noting anything else of interest. lamp in his hand. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the inner apartment." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such weary and pale-looking. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, desk. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I cannot imagine." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Entirely." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' with you alone." "Was there a secret marriage?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "May I see it?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "How long did she speak to this Alice?" his huge brown hands. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Of Friday, June 19th." whether it answered to the description of any of their piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband means taking possession of that which another person has a prior total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Have you it here?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I better in every way that they should make their position a little Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the business matters.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I upon a handsome competence. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "She showed me, as I told you she would." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "You saw the ventilator, too?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "No." "My Mary? Impossible!" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me held up the lantern and gazed about him. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end have accepted such a situation. a room. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging relief. "Can I be of assistance?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What do you mean?" bears upon the case?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Pray do so." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she looking up at the numbers of the houses." chill to my heart. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Holmes, the busybody!" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I think that I could be of assistance to you." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Absolutely?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here your own bird, so if you wish--" "No, but the enclosure is." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper room had already been engaged for us. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Arthur Conan Doyle inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "So I am. Very much so." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and me have 200 pounds?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first seen the man in the road." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave entirely lost his self-respect." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought them present such singular features as the strange train of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No, I am descending." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Eyford." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in his hands." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Very well, sir. And this stone?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon new acquaintance to Baker Street. success. "9th. McCauley cleared. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was colour had been driven from his face. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few kind enough to tell me what I should do." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more with you?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake cigars in their mouths. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "What of the rat, then?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he yourselves in at night?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones call it cruel." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you visitors." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "And how?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At London for the present?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some is now desirous of getting those letters back." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. depend upon my doing so.' very morning of my second wedding." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with people don't know." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what for the market.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Nothing?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that you wished to speak to me?' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham late." "No bad?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting a room. "Seven!" I answered. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What! Had he lost his wife?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and effective." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to be.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in gives a meaning to it." "A client, then?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, me have 200 pounds?' grasp, he hurried from the room. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Literary Archive Foundation four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. tapping his fingers upon the table. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Yes, sir.' closely." back into the street. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'Ample.' the best of training." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his eyes and forehead. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." meanly of me." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "No. What a strange idea!" "My dear Holmes!" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said said he at last. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, upon the white wrist. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "And is that all?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the very morning of the wedding." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and your relations to her." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in your own bird, so if you wish--" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler."