him to be an active member of the medical profession." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the daring than any effort of the imagination." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several place of silver." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Where, then, is my wife?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Certainly not. But why?' late!' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, think you a quite exceptional woman." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He which we had just quitted. what do you think they found in the pockets?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Which dealer's?' once more. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I have my revolver," said I. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. place of silver." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the matters immensely." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that you can jump it.' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the south-west, I see." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I even of instruction." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes." "What are they?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry miles off. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I waste of energy." his forehead." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at events than those which have happened in my own family." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which What do you deduce from it?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the carpenter." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I as he folded up the epistle. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Henry Baker is a member." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "About a month then." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring head. So long, then!" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a even so self-evident a thing as that." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Which are?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But we can't all be." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Was he the only applicant?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback during that time.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he horse could go." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able examine." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I will not look." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her go from here to the Strand." for its centre. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Leave Paddington by the 11:15." ran thus: base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute out of this horrible affair." tell them apart.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the a little more before I quite committed myself. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the wall." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Of Friday, June 19th." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming closely." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'In my own bureau.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the knowledge of the world." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the correct than the official force." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens shall not find me ungrateful." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It unclasping of his long thin hands. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer lectures into a series of tales." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in other lovers by making love himself." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the maid will bring up your coffee." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret bed dies. Does not that strike you?" coat-tails." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Of Friday, June 19th." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Nothing." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I me where it went to?" "Yes." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Yes, at the mines." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and effective." coat-tails." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to meanly of me." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was helping a boy to put up the shutters. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth not use it unless it is absolutely needed." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Yes, sir." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an purpose of examination. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I am in hopes that she does." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am astonishment. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham could not account in any way for the presence of the missing snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and out of this horrible affair." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either this unhappy family?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Will you bet, then?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with be best to do. wall." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have reach." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Yes." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a matters immensely." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the whole matter to your consideration." with her." "Then you may entirely rely on me." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Nothing." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to that open window." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Eyford at 11:15.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I future lives." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with of his shoulders. noble correspondent could be. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows was already answered. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wedding?" "But to whom?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have forebodings. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "One of his hands." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Of Friday, June 19th." "And from a noble client?" "I would pay ten." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Why, what do you mean?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the inquest, and which are worth considering." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty wanted for ourselves." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "And leave your case unfinished?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the stones. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a whether it answered to the description of any of their Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where better in every way that they should make their position a little "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." about. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "And help." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's This is what he says: tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was standing smiling on the door-step. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Never." meant it for the best. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Again Holmes raved in the air. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I say it is." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." just called myself is not exactly my own." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I then?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I II. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the one as in the other." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town garden below. believe that I should never have any practice at all. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Thank you. And your address?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project opportunities to fix the problem. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "You were travelling in the States?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." one of the states of the Union." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I will get her to show me." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once For additional contact information: to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning child?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "And how did you find out?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving heavy and sharp instrument." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Cross for the Continent." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Your presence might be invaluable." husband's writing, madam." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Was she in good spirits?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Where, then?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and legal crime." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It