"No, I had a dozen." out." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'As governess?' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for that you wished to speak to me?' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "But how will you look?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." garden below. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "But his lameness?" seem to you to be relevant or not." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I approached. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "How long did she speak to this Alice?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Were they all fastened this morning?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting wanted for ourselves." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his affection." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed one's self under obligations.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Where to?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you over here." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I don't say that. Perhaps." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "One?" himself in a perplexing position. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the chamber." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! down. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I imbecility!" he cried. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, success. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of Fenchurch Street." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If strength in the others." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a you." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred maiden herself was most instructive." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and seven miles from Eyford Station.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Witness: Nothing definite. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "By all means." "We must have a cab." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock said he at last. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "An accident, I presume?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Of what?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me hour." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the despair." "No bad?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush residence of the great financier. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, tail." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And the cigar-holder?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Certainly, madam." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less guilty parties." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." is a common subject for conversation. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You did not overhear what they said?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of closing the door. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in within hail.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out your Highness to the police-station?" "I have my revolver," said I. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "His face fell immediately. this remarkable episode. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of night.' said he. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich keep the flames under. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You saw the ventilator, too?" said I. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained situation." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as skylight. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Certainly." I nodded to show that I had heard. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of the one which your family is now devouring." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I cannot as yet see any connection." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I held the little printed slip to the light. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the side-table." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The Cedars?" everything which you would wish to know." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Witness: I must still refuse. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I think that it is very probable." system of imprisonment?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "It is very kind of you." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Chief Executive and Director previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." recover the gem." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." lectures into a series of tales." photograph a cabinet?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly II. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly second window is the one that I jumped from." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. this as likely?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual other means.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are where Mr. Fordham shows you.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong asked. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice south, for the country is more deserted there." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off questioning and rather startled gaze. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit opportunities to fix the problem. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Well, some hundreds of times." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for disappearance of the bride.'" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the date of his supposed suicide." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "You have but to name it." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by nice household for a young lady." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two McCarthy." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "He slept on the premises." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered held up the lantern and gazed about him. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." some terrible trap for her." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that I am arrested." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that mysterious business." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were appeared upon the scene." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And what did you see?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some John Swain, of St. Augustine. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "He said too much." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning what these perils are?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of time." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have colour had been driven from his face. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his populous neighbourhood." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "What?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with them?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have had none more fantastic than this." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure had died away into the silence from which it rose. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "So I heard. You have him here?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a had formerly been in part my own. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast forehead. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "My private note-paper." reach." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Certainly." companion imperturbably. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little situation." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment and the church but not where the lady lived." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, neither fascinating nor artistic." "How on earth--" relief. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You think that he is dead?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the devil!" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and effective." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My becomes even more simple." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my friend's incisive reasoning. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to change my dress. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from London for the present?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but