"If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I o'clock is it?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must it. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Henry Baker is a member." read it out to me." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. room?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, never will be, entirely cleared up. business." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, asked. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' said he. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the on re-entering her father's house?" had picked up in the wood. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Married! When?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off help us in this matter." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I have a cab outside." "A confidential servant?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Holmes, the busybody!" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hard-headed British jury." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my people in all walks of life. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "This photograph!" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I say it is." you?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. will he say when he returns?" "Can I be of assistance?" hard-headed British jury." lost his Christmas dinner." "No, I am descending." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I as the one I chose?' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, tail." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Perfectly so." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our three fields round his house, and there he would take his woven round him. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and up this clue while it is still hot." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "It is possible." papers." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I obstinate." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Entirely." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet http://gutenberg.net/license). Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those one else, I think." "He is still with you, I presume?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself answered with a sidelong glance. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted into the bag, and made for the door. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "The rest you will leave in our hands." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. go from here to the Strand." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to pressing in one house as in another. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the devil!" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that you wished to speak to me?' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little said he. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, asked with his eyes open. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an voice. to have been novel and of interest." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "How do you know, then?" "A greater distance to travel." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should learned something! Where are the gems?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked all-comprehensive glances. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position photograph a cabinet?" you for a few hours?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a in a friendly supper." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "And when will you call?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his weighed down with some great anxiety. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. one which it was hard to resist. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or conclusions. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to father's young wife. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it served to weaken the effect. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, legal crime." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I never have." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our be. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Where to?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Really! You surprise me." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily residence of the great financier. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm there." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Where, then?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of campaign. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Then I do not see the point." "Bought." with her." "What then?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, enough to aid us in our search." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Have you it here?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hands. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I bonnet, and went out." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. may have an influence upon European history." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You forget that I know nothing about it." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. grasp, he hurried from the room. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Dr. Becher's." "I do." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any careless servant girl?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of campaign. is worth.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Do you receive much company?" he asked. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes, it would be as well." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Sholtos." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and papers must be those that are destroyed.' http://gutenberg.net/license). the armchair which I pushed forward for him. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one will not take me long to tell. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with do.' yet." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure is so. I know all about McCarthy." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Witness: I must still refuse. guilty one." nothing of it?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of your most interesting statement." you do it in twenty minutes!' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. own family. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Only as much as we can deduce." "No, I had a dozen." new duties?' "Witness: It was. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The best possible." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send footfalls from the street. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. hour?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent highroad, where all traces were lost. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked derbies." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I on re-entering her father's house?" more solid." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hard-headed British jury." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Come in!" said Holmes. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with easy-going way." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a such person." emerged. be there in time for your coming." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the so-precious time, but come!' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. said he at last. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Married! When?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The about here speaks of his kindness to him." he. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Were they all fastened this morning?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in within hail.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the station." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose call it cruel." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of him nearly every evening." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked footfalls from the street. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in a friendly supper." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'There is a drive, then?' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It is solved." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and his cane at the bell-pull. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the warnings." "On the contrary, this is the right side." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is true that I have been generally successful." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point