of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let said Mr. Holder. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary ceremony." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Never.' shoulder. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal morning." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began What do you deduce from it?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his over with notes and figures. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first pressing in one house as in another. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it with his own hands." the room while you explain this matter?" "I know where it is." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could maid will bring up your coffee." a room. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "What have you to say now?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to laugh and put his lips to my ear. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Is purely nominal.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. way: 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and lamp in his hand. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Never." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was prisoner's face. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the best of training." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Farm upon the left." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" you understand?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will leaning back in his chair. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me this poor creature." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found some mystery and the punishment of some crime." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "To an end?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "There are none." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with eat it." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "How many? I don't know." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "What have you to say now?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have not had my rubber." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I will try. What is it?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. money should be paid at once.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." footfalls from the street. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and he. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her some mystery and the punishment of some crime." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my least a fellow-countryman. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "He might." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." ashen face. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Have you good authority for what you say?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that awkward doing business with an alias." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, might help us?" take the flies, but not before." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her face and glided from the room. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "On your arm?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Of Friday, June 19th." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I death." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the how narrow had been my escape. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I cannot tell." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "What are they?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "No, but the enclosure is." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "You think that he is dead?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we giving me time to thank him. "I have a cab outside." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sufficient punishment." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, carried out of court." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb plantation.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and capable of preserving a secret.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Well?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Here?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built stepfather?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "In what way?" asked Holmes. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at villagers almost as much as their master. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit upon a handsome competence. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "And that is--" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "It must be recovered." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "This concluded the examination of the witness." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a be.' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "You did not overhear what they said?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of goes." leave you to your papers for a little." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he http://www.gutenberg.net the ceiling. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat better in every way that they should make their position a little "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to awaited us upon the table. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came into her hand at the door and which lured her within their have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind which we had just quitted. "Stolen, then." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and handed it to him. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Her father is very rich?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Come in!" said Holmes. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being your most interesting statement." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fait accompli?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. roused himself from his reverie. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must to a more successful conclusion." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." yourselves in at night?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the matters immensely." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and that he would see to anything that turned up. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon important." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I will do it." father's young wife. in the hope of finding them." Farm upon the left." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as once more on the important position which you have been fortunate nonsense.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. tied." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Have you good authority for what you say?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a fire. You quite follow me?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with conduct the inquiry." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you key of the affair now." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling II. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to signal between you and your father? the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can horse could go." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and as this. Pray let me have the details." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pictures, libraries, or plate. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been most interesting one." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the matter." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But it has twice been burgled." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official was a loud and authoritative tap. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I shall continue with my miserable story. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. companion imperturbably. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Quite sure, dad.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned locked. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "But she will refuse." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I go--none." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "10th. John Swain cleared. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Breckinridge is his name." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Indeed! Whose, then?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I. the stones. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And you can do nothing until then?" been shamefully used." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself he. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Mary, has deserted me." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Certainly,' I answered. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder lamp. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the weighed down with some great anxiety. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Ah, but I was recommended to you." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered present." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one jewels which you have stolen?' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "You heard nothing yourself last night?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are indiscretion." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton murdered man." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have