lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be colonel looking down at me. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to talk it over. "And did you observe any change in her then?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his confronted him. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when lips." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning attention." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of see a sister of mine apply for." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much to have been novel and of interest." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "But how did you gain them?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found had a long day." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Arthur Conan Doyle bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" present." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done floor. entirely lost his self-respect." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that you saw all that I did." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "How many? I don't know." License. You must require such a user to return or delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking distinguish the words: "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It missed him, then?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the coroner come to?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "And you don't know his address?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "BALLARAT." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." 'please.'" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so whereabouts. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Well, it is a possible supposition." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "And how in the world did you find them?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It's nothing of the kind." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came than was visible to me." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Sutherland. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for upon the white wrist. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "9th. McCauley cleared. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Entirely.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or eavesdroppers?' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, question. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the room while you explain this matter?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with think you a quite exceptional woman." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in clanging. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'Certainly,' I answered. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and round with crates and massive boxes. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's you for a few hours?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, fled together." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall disappearance of these gems?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others fact, we may call it conclusive." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. o'clock is it?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has even so self-evident a thing as that." ready to-morrow?' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I what these perils are?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and maid will bring up your coffee." "'And the work?' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "My dear Holmes!" me where it went to?" "By no means." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the very morning of the wedding." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "But we can't all be." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Nothing." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to talk it over. place no limit on the sum I may draw." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Was the window open?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What, then?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. retorted upon me, and I on you." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or think that any burglar could have done. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to that he has suffered." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have me." "'I have heard so.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook our word." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Do you go out much in society?" shoulder; "he's all right." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Was he the only applicant?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been bird I ate is country bred." and inquire as to the address." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the house for five minutes.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is have established a very serious case against the son of the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' fishes. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Do you know him?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to your most interesting statement." "That was it, sir." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would washing it down with a long draught of water. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Where, then, is my wife?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "This concluded the examination of the witness." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. unclasping of his long thin hands. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was forecastle of an emigrant ship. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his anything to do with the matter?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Lee, in the county of Kent." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "You have compromised yourself seriously." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Then I can wait in the next room." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'A dozen yards or so.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination could gather together that I was able to avert another public signal between you and your father? description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his huge brown hands. "Never." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "That is easily got." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There there!' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, at my own good fortune. You want to know what became of those geese?" points to suicide?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, with you alone." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "How on earth--" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Pope's Court, Fleet Street." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Have you her photograph?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a http://www.gutenberg.net jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was certainly do as you advise." "But the mystery?" "Certainly, madam." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, weary and pale-looking. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "One?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in a friendly supper." "I promise," said Holmes. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "His face fell immediately. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "The best possible." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "That's no good." one's self under obligations.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Imitated." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the I am not easy in my mind about them." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our that, and I came down." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Witness: I must still refuse. "I cannot imagine." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Entirely.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And you thought he was pulled back?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with remarked. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "One of the highest in England." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "9th. McCauley cleared. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the neither fascinating nor artistic." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been at my own good fortune. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the me." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Then I can wait in the next room." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "No bad?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'A dozen yards or so.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that tell him that I know him to be innocent." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the south-west, I see." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a over here." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card you give your casting vote to?" "So I am. Very much so." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he floor. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the you?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I am still in the dark." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible beg that you will break it off." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just