first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "He said that you could solve anything." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and shall probably return to London by the evening train." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of electronic works Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the breakfast." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" a good hundred miles off by now." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for me have 200 pounds?' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing have I gained?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who should be so warm over such a trifle." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "And on what day did he meet his death?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the house with me." front of me. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I was concerned in it." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as derbies." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Of Friday, June 19th." asked. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, them?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Was she in good spirits?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which at once, for I have only half an hour." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, nonsense.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Nothing?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Certainly." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "You have compromised yourself seriously." all?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "What have you done?" asked Holmes. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you in yours." here and I will read it to you: the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I have come for advice." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest had died away into the silence from which it rose. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet eavesdroppers?' be there in time for your coming." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Not in the least." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his it." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" your most interesting statement." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out good for you to do.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was morning." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an as yours." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Then I do not see the point." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open down in his armchair and closing his eyes. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Well." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Certainly not. But why?' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass fasten all the windows?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and glanced through. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that our word." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Stoke Moran." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment papers diligently of late, have you not?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked money should be paid at once.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "And why?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his meanly of me." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather come either from the window or the door. My attention was with her." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the Assizes." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be sofa. This way, please!" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry wife's character?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some meant it for the best. night.' said he. "It is half-past ten now." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I My friend smiled. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be this remarkable episode. hour?' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, open." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." little adventures." least a fellow-countryman. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock companion imperturbably. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it round and wave him away like that.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gbnewby@pglaf.org ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "That also I could fathom." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of breakfast?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under someone who had been in Australia." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. horse could go." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Proceed, then." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I success. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a ready to-morrow?' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know interests were the same as his." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "By no means." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Where to?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Not yet." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and more solid." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes, I have one waiting." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "My stepfather's business papers." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of coroner's jury." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Why that?' I asks. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the copied or distributed: "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your village inn over there?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Have you her photograph?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to some other building. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Holmes' room. was it brought him the coronet? felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not gives a meaning to it." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to have been novel and of interest." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past developed." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Have you her photograph?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I entirely lost his self-respect." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "The knees of his trousers." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I know where it is." your co-operation." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "What is it, then--a fire?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "This photograph!" "I promise," said Holmes. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Very good.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she drove away. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, which we had just quitted. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "It was." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, The King stared at him in amazement. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another noting anything else of interest. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger man. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. never to learn it at all." instincts rose up against that laugh. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" have one." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Texas, I think." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Why serious?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, chance at all." "But how?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Of what day?" "But his lameness?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was light and attacked it." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had young Openshaw's." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Very much so." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the narrative." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I was mad--insane." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on noble correspondent could be. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a fishes. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "How did you deduce the select?" note?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram been anything against him. He had for years been known as a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. did not hear it also.' "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their God! What an exposure! What can I do?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Very good.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey his grey eyes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I would pay ten." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I there has been an enclosure here!" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes directors, with the result that you have seen." criminal. We have already had experience of such." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in