"I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up success. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove was shining brightly. results." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Precisely so. But how--" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my read over the extraordinary announcement. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Again Holmes raved in the air. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "The vanishing of the lady." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for about. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Precisely." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I have seen the police." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in mysterious end." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to to tell." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 1.F. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Certainly." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the before the coroner and the police-court." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "It was." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I shall be delighted." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, annoyance, but no jest. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Who by?" think that he is innocent?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Holmes rather sternly. "You think that he is dead?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Very. But will he see it?" "I know where it is." to miss it." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with was feeling which was the fattest.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in existence." foresight and the moral retrogression?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his eyes and forehead. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Get out!" said he. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon shoulder. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "So I have heard." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Deserted you?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or jewels which you have stolen?' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me mystery may be cleared along those lines." strength of mind to control. "'Yes, sir.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found official police." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he quick march!" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to conceal it?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "What! a murderous attack?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a matter over." "Well, it is a possible supposition." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "And when will you call?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Entirely." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when me what he had done with the three missing stones. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked bled considerably." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the King without delay." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Witness: I must still refuse. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the highly," said Holmes. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "He disappeared so suddenly." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while families. Now for the facts. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by figure." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Nearly eleven." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Here?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, fresh and glossy." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the himself. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the inner apartment." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss absorbing." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "That also I could fathom." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Will you bet, then?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of the vacancies.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Nothing." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Your presence might be invaluable." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the were unconscious?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "So it appears." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has handed it to him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I strong and stiff." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating an introduction to him?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would over his head with a sweet womanly caress. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'I have heard so.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "And what then?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the window, rose as we entered. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's to a more successful conclusion." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "How long did she speak to this Alice?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the running down." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." side. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Where, then, is my wife?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave way in everything. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, dates and names. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Holmes' room. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "How can you tell that?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fear." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the loss of it. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "About a month then." leaning back in his chair. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" here and I will read it to you: in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I indeed happy." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Pray let us have it, for all that." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him that he will be back before evening." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Then, as to money?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "And Miss Sutherland?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this breakfast?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the roots. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always locked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may or other trace. But how on earth--" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "You know me, then?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Not I." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was very morning of my second wedding." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was feeling which was the fattest.' "No, I think that I'll take it." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical prisoner's face. "Yes?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Pray continue your narrative." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to change my dress. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "There are none." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cost them two and thirty pounds." "Has he come with you to-night?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Street. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings problems help me to do so." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be business in the City. She little knew what. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water least a most suspicious remark." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Who by?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length all?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Nothing?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and enter Dr. Roylott's room." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a little more before I quite committed myself. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday be sorry for having acted so harshly." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Is he quiet?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand page at http://pglaf.org shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot intrusion of other matters." "But of what society?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to some other building. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "But who is he?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both events than those which have happened in my own family." "Precisely so. But how--" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Certainly." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Nothing?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of Fenchurch Street." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Your sister is dead, then?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from second." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the will not take me long to tell. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It