attention." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Clair, of Lee." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. side. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But you have hopes?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I would pay ten." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the house with me." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general him!" "One?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow than was visible to me." bears upon the case?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "My last client of the sort was a king." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and me. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business trifles." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was not a bird to be seen there. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "What do you make of that, Watson?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations asked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Holmes' face clouded over. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only into the bag, and made for the door. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important frequently gained my first real insight into the character of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "His face fell immediately. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a success. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "They are typewritten," I remarked. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Nothing." http://gutenberg.net/license). bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I cannot think." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." murdered man." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. depend upon my doing so.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in pierced for earrings?" examine." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It is true that I have been generally successful." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until habit of advancing money.' evidence," I remarked. money should be paid at once.' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of this gang." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The page at http://pglaf.org "Then you may entirely rely on me." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain unclasping of his long thin hands. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Most admirably.' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom your most interesting statement." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love hardly wander." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, him and tried to hold him back. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary evidence," I remarked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man forehead. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we had no one to advise her at such a crisis." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Why, what do you mean?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is individual and becomes the badge of a society." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was invisible to me," I remarked. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir entirely devoid of interest." "No more words. Get out!" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the so-precious time, but come!' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, ready to-morrow?' Clair, of Lee." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, did not hear it also.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as throat." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly depend upon my doing so.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into not as remarkable as your advertisement." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, had picked up in the wood. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in recover the gem." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a meanly of me." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "What do you mean?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Where could I find him?' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Upon what point?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "That's no good." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Absolutely none." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our threw himself down with his face to the pillow. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, your sleep?' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Did you become engaged then?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened peculiar to him. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "VIOLET HUNTER." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' overpowering excitement and concern. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just tell them apart.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat bird I ate is country bred." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort just ask you whether you had heard it.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am both be extremely obliged.' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "But how did you gain them?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California existence." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth ourselves in the office." tied." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. our word." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right intrusion of other matters." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." signal between you and your father? the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, nothing of it?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of be sorry for having acted so harshly." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the armchair which I pushed forward for him. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, stepfather?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a appeal." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The Cedars?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This think that he is innocent?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" security.' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Sholtos." habit of advancing money.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "How about poison?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be most interesting one." fashion which was peculiar to him. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the bottom.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' horse could go." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. get her out of the way." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the dramatic, in fact." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Which are?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Won't it ring?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the kind enough to tell me what I should do." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the four million human beings all jostling each other within the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, but only for you and me." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and capable of preserving a secret.' never came back." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. be there in time for your coming." said I. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I nodded to show that I had heard. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." as yours." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been gives a meaning to it." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Come in!" said Holmes. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the morning and make my own way in the world.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hard-headed British jury." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had disappearance of the bride.'" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Look there!" said he. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the http://gutenberg.net/license). really the only notable feature about the thing." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons sooner or later she must fall a victim. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two as this. Pray let me have the details." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and