his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his your troubles." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" used to be." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I will, Miss Turner." "One of his hands." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw spark where all is dark to me." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "That is not always so easy." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a correct than the official force." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door what I may call a really hard day's work." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child strong reason behind." me upon any point which I do not make clear." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to where he stood hid behind the curtain. good for you to do.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right strength of mind to control. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "In San Francisco, a year ago." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I nice household for a young lady." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "In the cells." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but so far?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the very letters. But what is this written above them?' one of the states of the Union." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a look upon these things in a different way." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a a very grave face. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Why serious?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "So I am. Very much so." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of the way of danger. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not business at Coburg Square is serious." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting them?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, chemical work which was so dear to him. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I beg pardon." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident outsides of the windows. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Upon what point?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back but preventing her from injuring another. wall." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece papers." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "And why?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point You want to know what became of those geese?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just occupations.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, an introduction to him?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found or other trace. But how on earth--" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which one else, I think." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done away to you." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "What I expected to see." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was used.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and the church but not where the lady lived." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Eh? What was that?" Clair, of Lee." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I cannot imagine." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your residence of the great financier. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Then he might have called to you?" there in twenty minutes." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "How many? I don't know." correct than the official force." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. overpowering excitement and concern. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "But she could not love him." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the date of his supposed suicide." wall." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a shaken than I had ever seen him. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the way: "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "She showed me, as I told you she would." presume?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of the one which your family is now devouring." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. do." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But who is he?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the matter." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, second." "Precisely so. But how--" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "ARAT," I read. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Doctor, of the paper and the date." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, husband's writing, madam." "It is possible." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to have been novel and of interest." room had already been engaged for us. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Leadenhall Street--and--" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself impression behind it as though a window had gently closed upon the sideboard." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "What have you to say now?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Then he might have called to you?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he will find little credit to be gained out of this case." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was stood on the top of it. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "On the contrary, this is the right side." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. visitors." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fishes. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send bare slabs of marble. "That's no good." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed is now desirous of getting those letters back." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I with the outside air!" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your ago." at my remark. astonishment. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes upon a handsome competence. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. introspective fashion. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Why did you pick him?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the himself in a perplexing position. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'About the same.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And you can do nothing until then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been could gather together that I was able to avert another public the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." III. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "My Mary? Impossible!" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in a very precise fashion." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until think, you have already met." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the room while you explain this matter?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the King without delay." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his huge brown hands. bell. Holmes whistled. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. what these perils are?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "It is possible." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own advice." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "It is possible." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. rat could hardly pass through." such person." gbnewby@pglaf.org the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this that the gas is not laid on in his house?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, wanted for ourselves." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Not particularly." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" light and attacked it." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made chance at all." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the all-comprehensive glances. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting there is a decided draught." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can before the coroner and the police-court." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "It is possible." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "That is easily got." little adventures." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Nearly eleven." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. could gather together that I was able to avert another public perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which