that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it views." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out done what I asked you, Jones?" present." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads weighed down with some great anxiety. "In San Francisco, a year ago." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near during that time.' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And why?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon shag which I had seen upon the previous night. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the visitors." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. so.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to have been novel and of interest." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "And is that all?" beyond words. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'What, the red-headed man?' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I shall communicate with you." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, villagers almost as much as their master. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hurried by. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I am not easy in my mind about them." "What office?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shaken than I had ever seen him. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was a loud and authoritative tap. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such forecastle of an emigrant ship. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "And now?" I asked. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or tell him that I know him to be innocent." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "No." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." question," said Holmes, smiling. shall not find me ungrateful." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Quite sure, dad.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." populous neighbourhood." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out morning." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ago." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased kind enough to tell me what I should do." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring drawing your inferences." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy extraordinary contortions. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE before, for it was considerably after midnight. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You forget that I know nothing about it." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the lost his Christmas dinner." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his 11:15.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest sneer upon his pale face. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by may never be exposed to such a temptation." his eyes and forehead. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'How far from the body?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs a good hundred miles off by now." "How did he come?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Yes." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon For additional contact information: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I fear not." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this undoubtedly my uncle's." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian might help us?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a License. You must require such a user to return or instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that, and I came down." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I shall communicate with you." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the King without delay." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few gone. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Ha! you find it so?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "No, my brougham is waiting." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "And now?" He raised his hand. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "There is the writing." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What was lame." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Most admirably.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, forebodings. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Why that?' I asks. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet suggested at once that there must be a communication between the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was a lad." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about weighed down with some great anxiety. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I cannot tell." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of must be when I saw the door open.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And your father? Did you tell him?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior desk. "You have carte blanche." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Who was the criminal, then?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Then, as to money?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As even of instruction." public press." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Doctor, of the paper and the date." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." go back?" at once, for I have only half an hour." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "My last client of the sort was a king." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Where is it, then?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would touch that coronet?' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I should like to see him very much." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that I am arrested." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. were new raised from a basin. pressing in one house as in another. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it. "But you can know nothing of this?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said populous neighbourhood." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was were wasted." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Only as much as we can deduce." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "But how will you look?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon indeed happy." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began do.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "ARAT," I read. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a direction." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Project Gutenberg-tm works. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, a suggestive one." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the little adventures." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not foot. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "He might." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and files of the old papers, following the future career of every accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away look upon these things in a different way." remarked. think, you have already met." "And your father? Did you tell him?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to talk it over. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me past. back to my heart. wall." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Then I shall certainly come." him." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and the church but not where the lady lived." your co-operation." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." said I. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end thin legs towards the fire. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United face and glided from the room. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Perfectly so." "Where did he live, then?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark mystery." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Pray let us have it, for all that." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he these bleak autumnal evenings." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have had none more fantastic than this." footfalls from the street. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then chance at all." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Deserted you?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys whole matter to your consideration." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, yes, easily." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, himself to hunt down. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "No bad?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing followed. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "May I see it?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind address. "The knees of his trousers." "And help." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel memory. there has been an enclosure here!" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already letters?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high there in twenty minutes." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I cannot tell." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John before the coroner and the police-court." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past pictures, libraries, or plate. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has his cane at the bell-pull. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could hair?' state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut triumphant cloud from his cigarette. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he noise which awoke you from your sleep?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured upon the sideboard." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And why?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to me. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Nearly eleven." "Bought." salesman. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by information in his hands the value of which he did not himself his forehead." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry conversation I have gathered that they have been married about way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may do you make of it all?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, direction." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "No, finished." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less companion. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to