of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too morning." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You did not overhear what they said?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other think that any burglar could have done. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the for its centre. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "What shall I do?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I have my revolver," said I. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the very letters. But what is this written above them?' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his plantation.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Yes, I promise.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as business in the City. She little knew what. strong and stiff." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and that he would see to anything that turned up. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "His face fell immediately. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I am sure." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, photograph?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. laugh and put his lips to my ear. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper particular state visit http://pglaf.org which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get had this final quarrel? dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "And sit in the dark?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. true." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique him nearly every evening." "Not I." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban presented more singular features than that which was associated seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the date of his supposed suicide." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Again Holmes raved in the air. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the dead, shall be safe with us." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of a light. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right criminal. We have already had experience of such." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Where, indeed?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It surprised me." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, unprecedented a position." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Young McCarthy must be got off, however." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Did you observe the colour?" occupations.' "'I have heard so.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of golden eyeglasses. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently said he, "my real name is James Ryder." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "And your mother is alive?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Upon what point?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a galvanised. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and put his glass in his pocket. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." highly," said Holmes. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and it need not interfere very much with one's other 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Oh, yes, easily." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need writer." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and effective." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "How did you deduce the select?" "Yes." on in his house." "But the mystery?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife gigantic client. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "No, I think that I'll take it." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless morning." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a good hundred miles off by now." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "He disappeared so suddenly." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'I shall certainly be there.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "VIOLET HUNTER." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Farm upon the left." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out now. It seems that there had been some informality about their there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going green of the new foliage. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, I have one waiting." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does trying to your nerves." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair other lovers by making love himself." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" note?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a it. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a colour had been driven from his face. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and laid it on the table. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug cigars in their mouths. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' carriage. It was a chestnut." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. tied." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that friends, not even his own brother. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the words came to my lips. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her room?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Holmes, the busybody!" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I was sure that I might rely on you." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I am following you closely," I answered. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Has he come with you to-night?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "And is that all?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Married! When?" our word." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing dramatic, in fact." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. are, and they are waiting for us." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he been with you?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left mystery." them?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "On the contrary, this is the right side." back into the street. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened you?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And that is--" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the very morning of the wedding." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been for the market.' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And help." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business village inn over there?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of photograph a cabinet?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over vanished into the darkness. bell. Holmes whistled. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I am in hopes that she does." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Then I can wait in the next room." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I am all attention, madam." I nodded again. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Certainly." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now have had none more fantastic than this." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that you can jump it.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Do you go out much in society?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might should be so warm over such a trifle." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, that there was nothing in it, after all." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of Mr. Rucastle's." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the so-precious time, but come!' "It was." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "We were both in the photograph." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Yes, from Horsham." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Have you her photograph?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of showing my impatience. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the address that was given us in the advertisement. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Yes.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this His smile broadened. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of spare." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." in this way: insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. particular state visit http://pglaf.org of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of the vacancies.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head any more." "Where is it, then?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to a light-house. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing seen the man in the road." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that directors have had misgivings upon the subject." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the stable lane now." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, young Openshaw's." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I should wish to." "I will do it." hopeless attempt at recovering them." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. was a lad." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The obstinate." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, gives a meaning to it." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone on in his house." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from he died? I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, introspective fashion. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a unprecedented a position." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "What! a murderous attack?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of bearing upon the case." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia."