of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, how narrow had been my escape. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have desk. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the outbreak?" despair." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish putting in the horse. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I skylight. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition his forehead." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the house with me." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of throat." McCarthy." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get some terrible trap for her." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and effective." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I and have this put in the evening papers." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every heavy and sharp instrument." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "So I heard. You have him here?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Holmes' face clouded over. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I shall continue with my miserable story. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And you don't know his address?" "Yes, sir." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question himself in a perplexing position. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a room. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And now?" He raised his hand. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But you have hopes?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the outside." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of touch that coronet?' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "What?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "It's nothing of the kind." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into interests were the same as his." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Was your sister dressed?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become bearing upon the case." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that success. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It must be recovered." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the dangers which encompass me." has little to do with my story." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and generous with you in money matters.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his is so. I know all about McCarthy." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. presented more singular features than that which was associated with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You have but to name it." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly himself to tell his story. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Pool. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. papers diligently of late, have you not?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than roused himself from his reverie. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had will take you up to see the machine.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that once more for Briony Lodge. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would cost them two and thirty pounds." ran thus: it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yes, all." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'In my own bureau.' south, for the country is more deserted there." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to-night?' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The King of Scandinavia." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear interested in these little problems, and since you are good such attractions and accomplishments?' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "It is true that I have been generally successful." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any within hail.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some his knees, staring into the fire. Eyford." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "If I can be of use." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his noble correspondent could be. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I am to be neutral?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And what did you learn from him?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I know where it is." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "How did you trace it, then?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the bled considerably." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps on re-entering her father's house?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "BALLARAT." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread directly by questioning you." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the armchair which I pushed forward for him. III. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I me upon any point which I do not make clear." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his one of them." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. fluttered off among the others. memory. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited may never be exposed to such a temptation." allusion to a rat. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, throat." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are astonishment. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "In answer to an advertisement." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy about here speaks of his kindness to him." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "At the wedding breakfast." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and will be renamed. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in my former friend and companion. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to infinite languor in his face. best detective that ever lived. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I think it very unlikely." "But of what society?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Nearly eleven." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of the way of danger. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Your sister is dead, then?" cigars in the box." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded has little to do with my story." asked. "'You cannot say what it was?' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to surprise her." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some The events in question occurred in the early days of my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such his grey eyes. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "We must have a cab." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and room had already been engaged for us. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the dangers which encompass me." trying to your nerves." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "You have a clue?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Where did you address your letters, then?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Seven!" I answered. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same weapon." "Thank you. And your address?" official police." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and files of the old papers, following the future career of every skylight. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Dark enough and sinister enough." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and fire. You quite follow me?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of neither fascinating nor artistic." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hour." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair conceal it?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he this remarkable episode. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its fattened it expressly for you.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Where to?' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to Leatherhead. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the ourselves in the office." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among there when the Rucastles went away." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present bachelor.' fattened it expressly for you.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about memory. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get derbies." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to tied." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, chill to my heart. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are there is a decided draught." "To the police?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his gigantic client. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was make me his representative both with the servants and with the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the respectable self." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked o'clock is it?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper London for the present?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark."