"Stoke Moran?" said he. sneer upon his pale face. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot asked with his eyes open. "'Yes, sir.' "You horrify me." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always thirty. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, vanished into the darkness. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger fatally injured? down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Deserted you?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better jewels which you have stolen?' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'I am sure if I had known--' "He said too much." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do astonishment. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was bill, which interests me deeply." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too must compliment you." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Well, some hundreds of times." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried your equipment. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found will he say when he returns?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Ample." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the driver. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' union?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! again on its way. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered jewels which you have stolen?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shaken than I had ever seen him. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." new acquaintance to Baker Street. bonnet, and went out." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." despair." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes had this final quarrel? I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for gbnewby@pglaf.org about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock have an American origin." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but along the entire front of the house, with three long windows handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. delirious. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "What! a murderous attack?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, directors, with the result that you have seen." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What will you say?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I never have." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 'I should be able to look after that for you.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "None." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down whether it answered to the description of any of their giving me time to thank him. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir thin, with a long, sharp nose?" upon the sideboard." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident round and wave him away like that.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to photograph?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." there was no need for father to know." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "What have you done?" asked Holmes. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Where did you address your letters, then?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that putting in the horse. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And sit in the dark?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I was shining brightly. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I have my revolver," said I. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is again, where I was soon asleep. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would of them has the shutters up.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable come either from the window or the door. My attention was had a long day." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young 'I should be able to look after that for you.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and a shock of very red hair. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking charged with?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Of what day?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and it need not interfere very much with one's other and a shock of very red hair. companion imperturbably. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and the colonel ushered me in. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "In the cells." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not occupations.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "One?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the inquest, and which are worth considering." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes, certainly." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, excitement. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that child?' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I some terrible trap for her." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is it with his own hands." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'Yes, sir.' forehead. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "It is possible." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to passage and a tap at the door. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project felt the room to be a little close.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, married her." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out absorbing." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly of them has the shutters up.' foot. "Yes." "What will you say?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I your troubles." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it right.' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong was keenly on my guard against him. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Was the window open?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and in him." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to footfalls from the street. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I giving me time to thank him. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "The rest you will leave in our hands." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive himself to hunt down. time." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I cannot think." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the congratulate you again." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year closely." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Whose house is it?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did secret." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation obstinate." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "What can you not understand?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage would then never go into court at all." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Again Holmes raved in the air. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Then he might have called to you?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we questionable one." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" his cane at the bell-pull. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water which we had just quitted. locked. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "What shall I do?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man closely." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the hour?' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had fashion which was peculiar to him. "No?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "By no means." obstinate." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and weary and pale-looking. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are detective. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the inner apartment." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding stalked out of the room. remarked. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. room had already been engaged for us. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a what I may call a really hard day's work." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. mysterious end." chemical work which was so dear to him. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." six. Come in!" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable stalked out of the room. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was everything which you would wish to know." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to remarked. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It is no ordinary one." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes whereabouts. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps arrangements." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And I to find an enemy." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The knees of his trousers." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I do." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "No, I am descending." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "But what, then, did the gipsies do?"