butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, if I call to-morrow?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of fait accompli?" "Precisely." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in is so. I know all about McCarthy." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. into the room. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent will he say when he returns?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the very morning of the wedding." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "A confidential servant?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, who was a member of your goose club." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there know that the truth is known." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through little trying to do so much typewriting?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the I am not easy in my mind about them." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it him, that man would not have given me such complete information man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. at a side door. himself. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "At the wedding breakfast." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. His name is Francis Prosper." the tragedy. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the you want, then?' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which where we are going." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Leadenhall Street--and--" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Nothing." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and one's self under obligations.' indeed which he could not unravel. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of window when the police appeared." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "No, my brougham is waiting." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both his knees, staring into the fire. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the bottom.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and business matters.' "'Where to?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "But what is it you wish?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I will do it." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that purpose equally well?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But your client--" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and upon the shelf for the interim." have been better. It is all right." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as father's place of business?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the despair." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, begun to whiten, even as mine has." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in for its centre. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had child?' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major is entirely a question of barometric pressure." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not morning." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Stolen." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Literary Archive Foundation to Leatherhead. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hand, madam?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by drawing your inferences." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the gigantic client. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Witness: It was. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It is a murder, then?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "What have you to say now?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the congenial hunt. "You are all wrong." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work dates and names. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling when your master had gone out." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already This is what he says: "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his pressing in one house as in another. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a suggestive one." "'Oh, no.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a whereabouts. purpose equally well?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the coronet in his hand?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. did not hear it also.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that During two years I have had three consultations and one small me. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless appointment with me for six o'clock?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." roused himself from his reverie. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how has little to do with my story." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those For additional contact information: stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I am about to be married." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest assist you in forming an opinion." that I can to serve you." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. taking in every detail of the apartment. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Yes." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And that is--" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right This is what he says: emerged. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a murdered man." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only go back?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the that?' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried her also." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was help us in this matter." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "That also I could fathom." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I saw her in conversation with her maid." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "My dear Holmes!" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for may have an influence upon European history." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "This concluded the examination of the witness." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "And sit in the dark?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "By no means." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste thin legs towards the fire. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes, it was twisted." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the October 9, 1890. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while case before our client came into the room." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his future lives." said he at last. green of the new foliage. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely for securing the situation." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had is now desirous of getting those letters back." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a mysterious end." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Precisely so. But how--" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Munro.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical see a sister of mine apply for." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done few hundred pounds.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here questionable one." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I know where it is." key turn in the lock." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of details." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six followed. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the room while you explain this matter?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this remarkable episode. amused." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back key of the affair now." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Come in!" said Holmes. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." remarked. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Your sister is dead, then?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of campaign. "Just look it up, then." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check once more. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by sentimental considerations in the background which would induce house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." disturbance in my wife." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the address that was given us in the advertisement. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the matter?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present posted to-day." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "You know me, then?" "Here?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the forebodings. "Holmes, the busybody!" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the house with me." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will clanging. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, unprofitable." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You have a clue?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of relief. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." views."