play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes, sir." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened bed dies. Does not that strike you?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "What have you to say now?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Ample.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and sooner or later she must fall a victim. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "My dear Holmes!" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, character. few hundred pounds.' upon the sideboard." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "In what way?" asked Holmes. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right 1.E.9. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with back alive. "No bad?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'In my own bureau.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free American. Then who could this American be, and why should he presented more singular features than that which was associated pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you begin with, and I had not got mine yet." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Yesterday." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hopeless attempt at recovering them." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of carried out of court." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand look dissatisfied." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Breckinridge is his name." companion. allusion to a rat. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Certainly." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. that there was nothing in it, after all." "But how will you look?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in orange pips. the one as in the other." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your call you and give you the chance." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic ashen face. "Very. But will he see it?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Lestrade of Scotland Yard." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that breakfast?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." companion imperturbably. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "And who is her maid?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "You know me, then?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the bottom.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he when your master had gone out." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Indeed! Whose, then?" "What do you mean?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which chamber." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Your presence might be invaluable." ventilator." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains child?' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes, from Horsham." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of receipt of the work. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "What can it mean?" I gasped. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his wife has ceased to love him." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Not particularly." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last enter Dr. Roylott's room." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched it." "Precisely." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the little opening for the ventilator is." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now look upon these things in a different way." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two confronted him. compunction about shooting them down." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" thin legs towards the fire. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I was mad--insane." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "My dear Holmes!" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in if I call to-morrow?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." examine." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." back alive. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: derbies." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the loss of it. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, at once, for I have only half an hour." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated carriage. It was a chestnut." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of his shoulders. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "What I expected to see." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll father's young wife. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case seen the man in the road." "I don't believe it." "In answer to an advertisement." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Count Von Kramm." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hurried away. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Come in!" said Holmes. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the tragedy. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Pray do so." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British mystery!" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." your most interesting statement." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, happened." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to-night's adventure." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I guessed as much." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I cannot as yet see any connection." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of himself to hunt down. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Young McCarthy must be got off, however." cigars in their mouths. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her character. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about shall use the carriage to-night." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I outside." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "You have compromised yourself seriously." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has official police." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "But how?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the tragedy. business?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'And what are they worth?' I asked. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Miss Holder?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the loss of it. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and one's self under obligations.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Then he might have called to you?" "No, I think that I'll take it." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "If I can be of use." "My Mary? Impossible!" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching daring than any effort of the imagination." "Then you may entirely rely on me." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Not him." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But his lameness?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further him. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "To the police?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Nothing." himself. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There him and tried to hold him back. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away nights." said he. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of at a side door. the morning and make my own way in the world.' gives a meaning to it." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "What shall I do?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." quickly through a disagreeable task. infinite languor in his face. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his feature." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. voice, changing her seat as requested. himself in a perplexing position. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It heavy and sharp instrument." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "But your client--" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client morning." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Always." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "And on what day did he meet his death?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; DAMAGE. "'In my own bureau.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes, I have one waiting." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Then, how do you know?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hour." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "He might." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was