gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black relation between them, and what the object of his repeated hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." companion quietly. such person." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Does that suggest anything?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his strength of mind to control. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes it were putty." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I cannot imagine." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Very. But will he see it?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the inner apartment." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and 1.E.9. fluttered off among the others. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as breakfast." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two direction." becomes even more simple." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster deduce something from that?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the hour?' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had next day. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that I can to serve you." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "My photograph." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tapping his fingers upon the table. washing it down with a long draught of water. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I shall communicate with you." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his tell them apart.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity begin with, and I had not got mine yet." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his experiences." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily sooner or later she must fall a victim. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies go--none." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Her father is very rich?" clang of the bell. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his back alive. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, you." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to yet." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and shall probably return to London by the evening train." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the people don't know." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. man. I know him from the photograph." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "The vanishing of the lady." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her think that he is innocent?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and inquire as to the address." "I assure you that I am in your hands." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to-night." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by views." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 11:15.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business asked. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. true." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. morning." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Edgeware Road. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong business?" to-night?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" enter into my head. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in shaken than I had ever seen him. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it such attractions and accomplishments?' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion presented more singular features than that which was associated The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur away to you." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in one or two places in England?' Pope's Court. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You are all wrong." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine golden eyeglasses. "'How far from the body?' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes depend upon my doing so.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white my former friend and companion. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "The gentleman I describe." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "What I expected to see." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. late." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my there in twenty minutes." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Perfectly so." to miss it." "Where, indeed?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to-night's adventure." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is thought that she would have been so carried away." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "And you thought he was pulled back?" when you have done it." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Oh, yes, easily." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice States. four million human beings all jostling each other within the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And extraordinary contortions. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is galvanised. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely straighten it?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must drove away. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back room had already been engaged for us. "And why?" experiences." writing, and yet I know it well." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in present." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Imitated." how narrow had been my escape. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "He said too much." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes. He waved his hands." question," said Holmes, smiling. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you mystery!" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "But you would not advise me to refuse?" would apply.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his written. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "This concluded the examination of the witness." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to his wife has ceased to love him." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he be.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent key of the affair now." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You horrify me!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Can I be of assistance?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of the one which your family is now devouring." colour had been driven from his face. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some hardly wander." "Do you go out much in society?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I am all attention, madam." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I have solved it." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you keep the flames under. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be straightened it out again. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and learned something! Where are the gems?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave once more on the important position which you have been fortunate he bowed and left the room without another word. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Why did you pick him?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very certainly not very gracious." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "A client, then?" the bed, and you in that chair." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Look there!" said he. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and gone before you can get him to hospital." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen fire. You quite follow me?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'What then?' I asked. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And is that all?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in enough to aid us in our search." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my what I may call a really hard day's work." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to Leatherhead. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Pray let us have it, for all that." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "But the mystery?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an into the room. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great will take you up to see the machine.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." ceremony." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, everything which you would wish to know." lumber-room." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the one as in the other." coroner's jury." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "She will not sell." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after one which it was hard to resist. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'I am sure that I do not know.' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And the cigar-holder?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more bare slabs of marble. "Where is it, then?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had it." in this note: and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "And what did you learn from him?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another plantation.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But you can know nothing of this?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to